Effects of Square-Stepping Exercise on balance and depressive symptoms in older adults

Abstract

The aim of this study was analyze the effects of Square-Stepping Exercise (SSE) on depressive symptoms, balance and functional mobility in older adults. Participants were distributed into two groups: Trained Group (TG), who performed a 16-week intervention with SSE and Control Group (CG), who performed only evaluations. The Berg Balance Scale and Time Up and Go Test (TUG) constituted the evaluation protocol to verify balance and functional mobility. Geriatric Depression Scale-short form (GDS-15) was applied for measure depressive symptoms. Evaluations were realized pre and post 16-week. Significant improvements were observed in the TG with the maintenance of GDS-15 scores and on the time to perform the TUG test which reflects better functional mobility than the CG. This could lead to conclude that the SSE is an important tool for improve balance, prevent falls and decrease depression symptoms. Resumo-"Efeitosdo Square-Stepping Exercise (SSE) no equilíbrio e sintomas depressivos de idosos." O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar os efeitos do Square-Stepping Exercise (SSE) nos sintomas depressivos, equilíbrio e mobilidade funcional de idosos. Os participantes foram distribuídos em dois grupos: Grupo Treinamento (TG), que realizou 16 semanas de intervenção com o SSE e Grupo Controle (CG), que penas respondeu as avaliações. A Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg e o Time Up and Go Test (TUG) constituíram o protocolo de avaliação, e verificaram o equilíbrio e a mobilidade funcional. A Escala Geriátrica de Depressão curta (GDS-15) foi aplicada para mensurar os sintomas depressivos. Avaliações Foram realizadas pré e após 16 semanas. Resultados significativos foram observados no TG, como a manutenção do escore da GDS-15 e melhora do tempo para realizar o TUG, o que reflete em uma mobilidade funcional melhor que no CG. Podemos concluir que o SSE é uma importante ferramenta para promover equilíbrio, prevenir que das e diminuir os sintomas depressivos. Palavras-chave: equilíbrio, mobilidade, sintomas depressivos, envelhecimentoResumen-"Efectos del Square-Stepping Exercise (SSE) en equilibrio y síntomas depresivos en adultos mayores." El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los efectos del SSE (Square-Stepping Exercise) en los síntomas depresivos, equilibrio y movilidad funcional de ancianos. Los participantes fueron divididos en dos grupos: Grupo de Entrenamiento (TG), que celebró 16 semanas de intervención con SSE y Grupo Control (GC), que respondió evaluaciones plumas. El rango de equilibrio de Berg Balance de el Time Up nd Go Test (TUG) constituyeron el protocolo de evaluación, y se encontró el equilibrio y la movilidad funcional. La Escala de Depresión Geriátrica breve (GDS-15) se utilizó para medir los síntomas depresivos. Las evaluaciones se realizaron antes y después de 16 semanas. Los resultados significativos se observaron en TG, como el mantenimiento de la puntuación GDS-15 y la mejora de tiempo para realizar el TUG, que se refleja en una mejor movilidad funcional en CG. Podemos concluir que la ESS es una herramienta impo...

Effect of square-stepping exercise on balance in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Walking exercise was used in one article 10) , strength and balance training for 2 articles 12,14) , and balance training was used in one article 11) . The remaining 4 articles maintained usual lifestyles [6][7][8][9] . Different interventions among the control groups may lead to different results.…”

“…Four studies 7,9,11,12) involving 139 older adults evaluated balance using the BBS. This evaluated the ability to balance on a scale comprising 14 items of activities of daily living for older adults to perform simple balance related tasks.…”

“…Four studies [7][8][9]11) involving 158 older adults evaluated balance using the TUG Test. This evaluated the ability to balance by the time (in seconds) to stand, walk three meters, turn and return to sitting.…”

“…Within each category, the complexity of the combination of steps increases 6) . Previous studies have found that practice improves the ability of balance, lower limb strength, flexibility and agility to reduce the risk of falls [6][7][8][9] . Certain studies have shown that SSE is more beneficial in improving balance in older adults than other types of exercises [10][11][12] (e.g.…”

“…One study showed that the number of falls and the rate of falls per trip reported in SSE training were lower than in strength and balance training 14) . It not only has been shown to improve functional fitness, but also cognitive and depression symptoms 9,15) . Numerous intervention studies indicate that SSE improves balance and reduces the risk of falls among *Correspondence: poongkeeable@gmail.com older adults; however, no systematic review of the effect of SSE on balance in the elderly has been conducted as of date.…”