Comparison of functional strength training versus Otago exercise on postural balance in fallers older adults- A randomized controlled trial.

For older adults, falls and fall-related injuries have continued to be the primary cause of morbidity and death for the past thirty years. One Global population aging means that access to evidence-based, affordable fall prevention programs must be sustained. Globally, falls are a significant public health concern for the elderly. Every year, about one-third of older individuals living in the community and half of those in institutions fall (6). Aging-related issues include prolonged reaction times, cognitive decline, impaired balance, weaker muscles, and medicine side effects that raise the chance of falls (7). However, older adults can increase their physical flexibility and ability to balance, as well as lessen their risk of suffering a fall injury, by appropriately participating in sports events that emphasize these skills (8). Fall prevention lifestyle, Tai Chi, yoga, Pilates, resistance training, the Otago Exercise Program (OEP), fitness exercises for older adults, multi-objective stepping exercise, and fall prevention lifestyle (9). Among them, OEP has been shown to successfully enhance older adults’ cognitive function, balance ability, lower limb muscle strength, and functional physical fitness (10), prevent older adults from falling (10), hasten the recovery of physical function, and cut costs (11). It not only successfully increases one’s capacity for balance, but also boosts one’s self-assurance in one’s ability to maintain balance after several falls and overcome mental health issues including fear and social isolation (12, 13). The capacity to keep the body’s center of mass projected within the bounds of the base of support—whether sitting, standing, or moving to find a new base of support when walking—is called balance (14). Balance issues have been linked to lower confidence in one’s ability to maintain balance and an increased fear of falling, which is one of the main causes of falls (15).

The OEP of a series of exercises for strengthening the legs, retraining the balance, and preventing falls a series of exercises for enhancing balance in senior citizens, with gains noted in functional ability, performance, and balance an app with a balancing workout program that was created with the help of consumer design principles to guarantee an age-appropriate and user-friendly interface for senior citizens. To improve long-term adherence and activity uptake, behavioral change methods are included (16).

Functional strength training (FST) is gaining popularity as a new kind of exercise for people with heart conditions, middle-aged adults, athletes, and the elderly (17). It has been shown to improve health, help people control their weight, and improve daily activity performance. FST simulates specific movements that call for balance, strength, flexibility, and coordination (17).

Strength training improves muscle mass, improves motor unit recruitment, and speeds up the stimulation rate of motor units in older adults (18).

There are numerous systemic advantages of ST, which include enhanced bone health, reduced risk of cancer and depression, and better sleep (19). A meta-analysis also shown that ST is just as effective as stretching for increasing range of motion (19).  In addition to enhancing older individuals’ strength and muscular hypertrophy, ST also helps these groups’ muscle endurance, aerobic capacity, balance, power, and range of motion (19).