The Effect of Backward Gait Training Protocol on Postural Sway and Balance in Elderly Men with a History of Fall

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the backward gait training protocol on postural sway and balance in elderly men with a history of falls.Methods: A total of 28 healthy elderly individuals with a history of falls participated in this research.The backward gait protocol was considered the independent variable, and the mean parameters of postural sway, including range, center of pressure displacement, center of pressure velocity, and center of pressure acceleration, were examined as dependent variables.A Kistler force platform was used to assess postural sway.A mixed-design repeated measures ANOVA was performed at a significance level of 0.05.Results: No significant differences were found in the anterior-posterior amplitude and medio-lateral acceleration of the center of pressure between healthy elderly individuals and those with a history of falls (P > 0.05).However, individuals with a history of falls exhibited greater medio-lateral amplitude, anterior-posterior displacement, anterior-posterior velocity, and anterior-posterior acceleration of the center of pressure (P = 0.001).Conversely, they demonstrated lower mediolateral displacement (P = 0.001) and medio-lateral velocity of the center of pressure (P = 0.005).Conclusions: Changes in center of pressure parameters may predict fall risk in the older adults.These parameters have varying sensitivities for detecting subtle differences in postural control.The responses of various parameters are influenced by compensatory mechanisms, weaknesses, and balance disorders.The backward gait protocol serves as a targeted intervention to improve balance and stability in elderly individuals at risk of falls.