Abstract

The YMCA Moving for Better Balance Program is a 12-week, supervised, evidence-based falls prevention program that includes eight adapted Tai Chi forms to improve strength, balance, and coordination. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the YMCA Moving for Better Balance program on electromechanical delay, proprioception, body composition, balance, and fear of falling. Methods: Eleven older adults (65.9±7.3 yrs.) completed this intervention. Electromechanical delay in the hip abductor muscles and proprioception were assessed with custom-made devices. Body composition was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (iDXA). The 4- stage balance test, 30-second chair test, and Brief-BESTest were used to assess balance and falls risk. Finally, the Activities Balance-Specific Confidence (ABC) Scale was used to assessed balance confidence and fear of falling. Results: Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test comparisons of pre- and post-intervention showed significant improvements on the 4-stage balance test (p=0.008), the 30-second chair test (p=0.002), the timed-up-and-go (p=0.002), and the Brief-BESTest (p=0.003). Participants also showed significant decreases in electromechanical delay of hip muscle contraction speed (p=0.028) and improvements in lower extremity proprioception (p=0.002). Participants showed improvements on the ABC Scale, but the changes did not reach statistical significance. There were no changes in leg lean mass or bone density. Conclusions: These data suggest that balance improved with the YMCA Moving for Better Balance program, and these changes were not due to muscular hypertrophy but rather sensorimotor changes, specifically faster hip abductor muscle contraction speed (i.e., decreased electromechanical delay) and hip proprioception improvements.

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