Comparative Effects Between a Resistance Training and a Combined Balance and Strength Training on Functional Fitness and Fall Risk in Older Adults

This randomized controlled trial was conducted within the Physical Activity Promotion Domestic and Accidents Prevention (PAP & DAP) project in older adults. A total of 110 participants aged 65-85 years, independent and physically active, were randomly allocated to one of two supervised exercise programs: a resistance training (RT) group using elastic bands and a combined balance and strength (BS) group following a multi-station circuit of body-weight strengthening tasks and dynamic balance exercises. Both interventions lasted 6 weeks, with two sessions per week (3 hours/week), and all sessions were carried out by qualified exercise professionals.

Functional fitness was assessed before and after the intervention using the Senior Fitness Test battery (chair stand, arm curl, sit-and-reach, back scratch, timed up-and-go, and two-minute step test). Fear of falling was evaluated with the Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International (Short FES-I), and physical activity levels were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Italian Elderly (IPAQ-EIT). Falls history was collected at baseline (previous 12 months), and the occurrence of at least one fall was recorded at 1- and 2-year follow-up, allowing estimation of fall incidence and crude risk ratios between groups.

The RT program focused on progressive resistance exercises for major upper- and lower-limb muscle groups using elastic bands, organized into a standardized warm-up, central training phase, and cool-down, with progression in band resistance over the 6 weeks. The BS program consisted of a fixed-order multi-station circuit including gait, stepping, and weight-shifting tasks designed to challenge vestibular, visual, muscular, and plantar components of balance, combined with lower-limb strengthening exercises. Both protocols were designed to be feasible in community settings and to target key determinants of functional independence and fall risk in older adults.

Analyses included repeated-measures ANOVA to examined significant differences within and between groups, correlations among gain scores in functional fitness variables and fear of falling, and calculation of fall incidence and risk ratios at follow-up.

Inclusion criteria

• Older Adults;
• Age ≥ 60 years;
• Independent in carrying out activities of daily living.

Exclusion criteria

• Unstable cardiovascular, respiratory, or neurological conditions that contraindicate exercise;
• Recent fractures, major orthopedic surgery, or acute musculoskeletal pain limiting safe exercise participation.