Effectiveness of Chair Aerobics and Frenkel's Exercise in Geriatric Population on Balance and Coordination-Randomized Control Trial

Author(s):

Vaishali Jagtap*, Amrutkuvar Rayjade, Trupti Warude and K Arundhati Shiva Prasad

Background: Balance and coordination issues create irreparable problems in the elderly. The pervasiveness of falls is more established in elderly. The main aim of this study was to find out effectiveness of chair aerobics and Frenkel’s exercise on balance and coordination in the elderly. The growing evidence proves that exercise promotes healthy ageing, since aerobic exercise has been found to maintain motor units and mitochondrial function, it specifically enhances cardiovascular fitness. Moreover, it was discovered to prevent muscular atrophy and enhance health-related quality of life. Chair aerobics is a form of exercise performed while seated and talking about Frenkel’s exercise, its principle is to activate the mechanisms that control balance and multi-joint coordination. In this study we have combined Frenkel’s exercise along with chair aerobics for balance and coordination.

Method: This method was a randomised controlled trial. Study was carried out in group of patients, (n=30) conventional group and controlled group. Patients in controlled group performed chair aerobics and Frenkel’s exercise whereas the conventional group performed the routine exercises for 3 months. All patients were assessed with Romberg’s test and finger to nose test pre and post intervention.

Results: At the end of 3 months rehabilitation treatment, statistically significant differences were observed. Both groups showed improvement but controlled group showed much more and statistically significant improvement.

Conclusion: Chair aerobics and Frenkel’s exercise is found to be effective on balance and coordination in geriatric population.