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Benefits of proprioceptive training to improve coordination capacities in the elderly

Abstract:

Introduction: Proprioception is the ability to perceive the relative position of neighboring parts of the body, regulating direction and the range of motor movement. Since motor efficiency decreases with aging, specialists are devising intervention strategies which include specific physical stimuli as a prevention and development alternative. Objective: Determine the short-term benefit percentages of a proprioceptive training program to improve coordination capacities in the elderly. Methods: A correlational quasi-experimental study was conducted. A total 75 elderly subjects of both sexes were intentionally selected. Mean age was 69 years (range 65-75). An integral 30-day individualized proprioceptive program was carried out. Ten motor coordination tests (mostly static balance, dynamic balance and agility) were implemented at two moments of the intervention. Results: Significant improvement was observed in the post-test (p = 0.000) when comparing the data obtained in all tests, except for fitball squats (p = 0.321), fitball slides (p = 0.079), and fitball isometrics (p = 0.753). Mean percentage in terms of repetitions increased in most of the coordination evaluation tests applied at the end of the intervention. Conclusions: Positive results were observed in the coordination capacities of the elderly subjects studied upon short-term implementation of a proprioceptive training program.