Perturbation exercises to improve balance and gait in older adults in rural areas

Background: Falls represent one of the main causes of activity limitation, participation restriction and deaths due to involuntary trauma in the elderly, becoming a serious socio-sanitary problem. It requires the development of preventive and curative interventions of the syndromes associated with this phenomenon. Objective: To establish the effect of a perturbation exercise program to improve balance and gait in older adults in rural areas. Methods: Balance, gait, and risk of falls were assessed with the Tinetti scale and the Times Up and Go (TUG) test. Before and after applying the perturbation exercises, they were reviewed and validated by expert judgment. Results: A clinical improvement in balance and gait of between 1 to 6 points is reflected, as well as a decrease in the risk of falls both in the Tinetti scale and in the TUG test. These were evidenced with significant differences between measures in balance (p=0.000), gait (p=0.000), risk of falls -Tinetti (p=0.000) and TUG test (p=0.000). Conclusions: Perturbation exercises improve balance and gait in older adults, reducing the risk of falls.