Elderly Health Journal

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an 8-week resistance exercise program on balance, walking speed, and muscle strength in elderly women.
 
Methods: This randomized controlled trial was performed on 50 elderly women aged 60-66 years who were assigned to two groups of experimental and control. The Time Up and Go test, was used to measure dynamic balance, Romberg's test was used to measure static balance, and the 10 Meter Walk Test was used to measure walking speed, and the 30 Second Chair Stand test was used to measure muscle strength. Paired t-test and independent t-test was used for comparing balance time before and after the exercise program.
 
Results: The mean duration of static balance increased in the experimental group from 21.64 ± 10.98 before exercise to 28.20 ± 13.47 after exercise (p < 0.001). The mean duration of Up and Go Time decreased from 12.88 ± 1.45 seconds before exercise to 10.80 ± 1.80 seconds after exercise (p < 0.001). Ten-meter walking time in the experimental group decreased from 1.15 ± 0.1 seconds before exercise to 1.00 ± 0.11 seconds after exercise (p < 0.001) and muscle strength in the experimental group increased from 7.8 ± 1 before exercise to 9.56 ± 1.71 after exercise (p < 0.001). 
 
Conclusion: Lower limb resistance exercises with elastic band improve static and dynamic balance and also walking speed, which possibly improve muscle strength. It is recommended that these exercises be considered in developing the elderly women's health care programs due to their accessibility, affordability, and reliability.