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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Balance Changes in Trained and Untrained Elderly Undergoing a Five-Months Multicomponent Training Program

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description

Balance is a main focus of elderly activity programs which can be assessed by functional tests or stabilometry platforms. Our study aims to compare balance-changes in trained (TRA) and untrained (UNT) elderly following a 5-month Multi-Component Training Program (MCTP), twice a week, one hour per day. 10 TRA (>2-years) and 9 UNT (first year) performed the Romberg´s test (Open-Eyes 30 seconds/Closed-Eyes 30 seconds ratio) on a stabilometry platform (BT4, Hur Labs). COP displacement (Trace Length: TL) and sway area (C90) were registered twice PRE (1&2), POST (3&4) and 3 months later (Detraining: 5&6) the EFAM-UV© program, a Cognitive MCTP based on gait training and Dual-Task neuromuscular proposals in enriched environments. Regarding Open-Eyes, Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons showed significant group-differences in TL for 1, 2, 5 & 6 sample conditions, and a slight trend toward significance in C90 1&5. TL also showed significant group-differences in Closed-Eyes 1, 5 & 6, while C90 only in 5 & 6 Closed-Eyes. Balance indicators TL and C90 show a different way regarding the training status. A 5-month MCTP reduces differences, but detraining quickly affects UNT. Although effective, short multicomponent interventions could lead to early worsening, so the ratio training-detraining might be considered in untrained elderly population.