Frenkel Exercises on Balance in Older Adults

Abstract

Introduction: The loss of balance is an important factor to suffer a fall in older adults, this represents a worldwide problem at a health level; the fear of falling and the low level of balance are obstacles to perform physical exercise; however performing Frenkel exercises are necessary for motor control.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of Frenkel exercises to improve balance in older adults.

Material and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out with a population of 30 older adults aged 65 to 75 years with balance problems who signed the informed consent form. They received a protocol of Frenkel exercises for 30 minutes; in the first month exercises in supine decubitus, in the second month in seated position and in the third month in standing position; for the collection of information an evaluation was made before and after the intervention with the Tinetti Test. The statistical analysis of the results was done with the SPSS program using frequencies, percentages, chi-square and Wilcoxon tests.

Results: In the first evaluation, 100% of the population had problems with balance, gait, high risk of falling and risk of falling. After the intervention, balance improved and the risk of falling decreased significantly. In the chi-square tests before and after the balance evaluation, P=0.010 was obtained; for gait P=0.018; the null hypothesis is accepted because it is greater than 0.05, if there is a significant difference. In the Wilcoxon test P=0.000 which proved that the Frenkel exercises are effective in older adults.

Conclusion: It is important to perform Frenkel exercises to improve balance in older adults as they help to avoid falls and sedentary lifestyles.