Comparable Effects of Eight-Week Water- and Land-Based Functional Training on Balance and Physical Functionality of Elderly Women

Background: Older adults typically engage in less physical activity due to age-related factors and health conditions. Given the specific needs associated with this stage of life, it is crucial to focus on their physical activity levels and independence. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the impact of land-based and water-based functional exercises (LBFT/WBFT) on balance, physical performance, and fall risk among older adults. Methods: This semi-experimental study involved 28 healthy elderly women from Tabriz city, with a mean age of 67.07±6.32 years, a mean weight of 71.67±11.8 kg, and a mean height of 156.32±6.9 cm. Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to one of three groups: land-based exercise training (n=9), water-based training (n=9), and a control group (n=10). Physical function parameters, including strength, endurance of both upper and lower body, flexibility of the lower body and trunk-shoulders, reaction time, agility, and balance, were evaluated before and after the intervention. The selected exercises were performed over an eight-week period, twice weekly, with 3 sets of 12 repetitions each session. Statistical analysis involved paired t tests and ANCOVA, followed by Bonferroni post-hoc tests to assess both inter-group and intra-group differences. Results: The results indicated that both LBFT and WBFT led to significant improvements in all assessed parameters (P≤0.05). Conclusion: The two training modalities notably enhanced muscle strength and endurance, flexibility, and agility, which are crucial for improving balance and overall physical performance in elderly women. Therefore, both forms of functional training appear to be effective interventions for enhancing balance and physical performance while reducing fall risk in older adults.