Effects of Seated vs. Standing Exercises on Strength and Balance in Community-Dwelling Older Women

Aim. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a combined resistance and balance exercise (CRBE) program performed in both seated and standing positions with that of a program consisting only of resistance exercise (RE) performed in the seated position in older women.Methods. Fifty-two community-dwelling volunteers (CRBE: n = 27, RE: n = 25, mean ± SD age, height, and weight: = 68.3 ± 6.5 years, 67.6 ± 7.4 years, 149.8 ± 7.3 cm, 149.8 ± 5.5 cm, 54.7 ± 10.0 kg, and 51.7 ± 8.6 kg, respectively) participated in 12 weeks of either CRBE or RE. Strength (arm curl and chair stand), static balance (sway velocity [SV]) and dynamic balance (limits of stability [LOS]) were evaluated before and after intervention.Results. After training, both groups showed significant improvements in muscle strength. The improvement in SV was clinically significant in CRBE (13%) only and no improvement was observed in either group for LOS.Conclusion. These results suggest that a resistance exercise program utilizing ela...