Double task exercises in balance, functional autonomy and mobility of the elderly

Abstract

This study sought to verify the effects of dual-task exercises on balance, functional autonomy and mobility of the elderly. This longitudinal, quasi-experimental, descriptive and quantitative study selected 9 elderly people who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After applying the Mini Mental State Examination, two males and seven females participated in the study for eight weeks, with a frequency of two alternate days. The following variables were evaluated: Tinetti balance test, Latin American Development Group for Maturity (GDLAM), Timed Up & Go (TUG), manual TUG 1 and 2 and cognitive TUG 1 to 6. The p-value < 0.05 was adopted for statistical significance. There was no significant reduction in Timed Up & Go, manual TUG 1 and 2 and cognitive TUG 1 to 6. There was a significant increase of 1.11 points post-intervention (p= 0.007) of the Tinetti balance test and a significant decrease (6. 14 seconds) in the C10m exercises (p= 0.001), LPS (5.67 seconds) (p= 0.004) and VTC (4.79 seconds) (p= 0.003). There was also a significant reduction (8.88 points) (p= 0.001) in the IG score. It is concluded through the results obtained in this research that there was a significant improvement in the performance of balance and functional autonomy of the elderly. These findings show that the elderly in the present research will have better autonomy and a lower risk of falls.