Effects of Eight-week Multisensory and Resistance Training on Static and Dynamic Balance among Elderly Men: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background and Aims: Balance is one of the problems of the elderly, which exposes them to an increased risk of falling, so preventing falls has become an important issue in the elderly. The present study aims to assess the effect of multisensory integration and resistance training on static and dynamic balance among elderly men. Materials and Methods: To conduct the RCT study, 45 healthy elderly men aged 60-75 were randomly divided into three groups including multisensory integration training, resistance training, and a control group. The first two groups participated in an eight-week intervention program (three sessions per week, each lasting 45 minutes), while the last one performed their daily activities. Sharpend Romberg test was used to measure static balance and timed get up and go test was used to measure dynamic balance. Results: The findings showed that the multisensory integration exercises and the resistance exercises group significantly increased the static balance of the elderly[F (2, 41)=7.60, P=0.002, η2=0.27] While there was no statistically significant difference between the effects of the two interventions (P=0.111). Also, the results of dynamic balance analysis showed that multi-sensory integration exercises and resistance exercises have significantly increased their dynamic balance [F (2, 41)= 6.11, P=0.005, η2=0.23]. Furthermore, While there was no statistically significant difference between the effects of the two interventions for dynamic balance (P=0.111). Conclusion: Both types of resistance training and multisensory integration training improved the static and dynamic balance of the elderly, although the multisensory integration training group presented better results, but it cannot be state that this type of training is more effective in improving balance control than resistance training.