Effects of Training on Fall Risk and Balance Performances

The participants in single task training received 30 minutes single task balance and gait exercises, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The program included static and dynamic balance exercises. Static balance exercises involved body stability (e.g., standing legs open and closed, standing with eyes closed, tandem standing, standing on foam surface and one leg standing, standing while throwing and catching a ball ), forward and backward weight shifting and keeping standing position while being disturbed by external perturbation. Dynamic balance exercises included tandem walking, walking to different direction (backward, side to side), transfer activities (from 1 chair to another) and sit to stand 5 times

The participants practiced 30 minutes balance and gait exercises while simultaneously performing cognitive tasks. The program included static and dynamic balance exercises. Static balance exercises involved body stability, forward and backward weight shifting and keeping standing position while being disturbed by external perturbation. Dynamic balance exercises included tandem walking, walking to different direction, transfer activities and sit to stand 5 times. The participants practiced cognitive tasks while simultaneously performing balance and gait exercises. The cognitive tasks included visual attention, auditory attention, planning, verbal fluency, simple mental math and maze activities. At each week, participants performed different type of activities which were designed to foster the executive functions: (1) Visual and auditory attention, (2) Planning and verbal fluency, (3) Simple math problems (4) Visual and auditory attention, planning, verbal fluency, math problems

The participants first practiced 30 min of cognitive activities then performed 30 min of balance and gait exercises after 5 min of resting.The program included static and dynamic balance exercises. Static balance exercises involved body stability, forward and backward weight shifting and keeping standing position while being disturbed by external perturbation. Dynamic balance exercises included tandem walking, walking to different direction, transfer activities and sit to stand 5 times. The cognitive tasks included visual attention, auditory attention, planning, verbal fluency, simple mental math and maze activities. At each week, participants performed different type of activities which were designed to foster the executive functions: (1) Visual and auditory attention, (2) Planning and verbal fluency, (3) Simple math problems (4) Visual and auditory attention, planning, verbal fluency, math problems.