Effect of Jumping Exercise on Muscle Strength and Balance of Elderly People: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of jumping exercise on the muscle strength and balance of elderly people. [Subjects] Participants were randomly allocated to one of two groups: a jumping exercise group (n=16) or a control group (n=15). [Methods] Both groups participated in a therapeutic exercise program for 30 minutes, five days a week, for 4 weeks. The experimental group performed an additional jumping exercise for 20 minutes a day, five days a week, for 4 weeks. A forceplate (PDM, Multifunction Force Measuring Plate, Zebris, Germany, 2004) was used to evaluate postural sway. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Timed Up-and-Go test (TUG) were used to assess dynamic abilities, and a Commander^TM Muscle Tester (J Tech Medical) was used to measure muscle strength. [Results] Postural sway amplitudes (anteroposterior and mediolateral), dynamic balance abilities (BBS and TUG), and muscle strength (hip, knee, and ankle) showed significant inprovements in both groups, after the intervention. In addition, changes in dynamic balance abilities (BBS and TUG) and muscle strength (hip, knee, and ankle) differed significantly between the experimental group and the control group. [Conclusion] Performance of the jumping exercise resulted in improvements in muscle strength and balance ability. Therefore, we recommend jumping exercise as an effective exercise for elderly people.