Comparative Analysis of Resistance and Aerobic Training Effects on Balance Performance in Elderly Adults: A Quasi-experimental Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46858/VIMSJPT/2026/v8.i1/20-28Keywords:
Aerobic Training, Balance, Geriatric, Impairments, Resistance TrainingAbstract
Background: However, despite growing evidence supporting the benefits of both resistance training and aerobic training for improving physical function in older adults, there is limited comparative research evaluating their relative effectiveness on balance performance in elderly individuals with balance impairments. Therefore, the present quasi-experimental study was undertaken to investigate and compare the effectiveness of resistance training and aerobic training in improving balance among the geriatric population with balance impairments. The study also aims to evaluate the individual effects of each intervention on balance outcomes and compare the magnitude of improvement achieved between the two training approaches. Aim: To investigate and compare the effectiveness of resistance training and aerobic training in improving balance among the geriatric population with balance impairments. Materials and Methods: Ethical clearance was obtained from the IEC and total of 70 participants were screened for the eligibility criteria out of which 48 geriatric participants having balance impairment were selected and divided into 2 groups Group A (Resistance training) (n = 24) and Group B (Aerobic training) (n = 24). Participants were assessed using standardized tools: balance was evaluated using the berg balance scale, 2 minute step in place test, arm curl test and chair stand test. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 to determine the balance impairment in the geriatric population. Result: The study found significant improvements in balance outcomes among geriatric individuals with balance impairments following both resistance training and aerobic training interventions. Specifically, participants in both groups demonstrated enhanced balance performance between the resistance training and aerobic training interventions, suggesting
similar effectiveness in improving balance outcomes among older adults with balance impairments. Conclusion: Both aerobic and resistance training improved balance, endurance, and strength, but resistance training produced greater improvements in limb strength. Incorporating resistance exercises into geriatric rehabilitation may
enhance physical function, reduce fall risk, and improve quality of life.
References
1. Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott MH. Motor Control: Translating Research into Clinical Practice. 4th Edition.
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. 2012.
2. Horak FB. Postural orientation and equilibrium: what do we need to know about neural control of balance to prevent falls? Age Ageing. 2006; 35(2):ii7-ii11. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afl077 PMid:16926210 PMCid: PMC7857621.
3. Maki BE, Holliday PJ, Topper AK. A prospective study of postural balance and risk of falling in an ambulatory and independent elderly population. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1994; 49(2):M72-M84. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronj/49.2.M72 PMid:8126355.
4. Rubenstein LZ. Falls in older people: epidemiology, risk factors and strategies for prevention. Age Ageing. 2006; 35(suppl_2):ii37-ii41. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afl084 PMid:16926202.
5. Rosenberg IH. Sarcopenia: origins and clinical relevance. J Nutr. 1997; 127(5):990S-991S. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/127.5.990S PMid:9164280.
6. Tinetti ME, Speechley M, Ginter SF. Risk factors for falls among elderly persons living in the community. N Engl J Med. 1988; 319(26):1701-1707. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198812293192604 PMid:3205267.
7. Keshner EA, Cohen H. Current concepts in the clinical assessment of vestibular disorders. Arch Phys Med Rehabiltation. 1989; 70(3):186-199.
8. Nutt JG, Horak FB. Postural dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease: A review. Mov Disord. 2004; 19(5):520-530.
9. Granacher U, Muehlbauer T, Gollhofer A. An overview of balance and strength performance capacity in healthy older adults. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2012; 24(5):451-458. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/708905 PMid:22315687 PMCid: PMC3270412.
10. American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer. 2018.
11. Hunter GR, McCarthy JP, Bamman MM. Effects of resistance training on older adults. Sports Med. 2004; 34(5):329-348. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256200434050-00005 PMid:15107011.
12. Chou CH, Hwang CL, Wu YT. Effect of exercise on physical function, daily living activities, and quality of life in the frail older adults: A meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabilitation. 2012; 93(2):237-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2011.08.042 PMid:22289232.
13. Villareal DT, Aguirre L, Gurney AB, et al. Aerobic or resistance exercise, or both, in dieting obese older adults. N Engl J Med. 2017; 376(20):1943-1955. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1616338 PMid:28514618 PMCid: PMC5552187.
14. Yeun YR. The effect of resistance band exercise on balance and gait function in the elderly. J Phys Ther Sci. 2017; 29(10):1824-1827. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.29.1695 PMid:28932015 PMCid: PMC5599848.
15. Fleg JL, Morrell CH, Bos AG, et al. Accelerated longitudinal decline of aerobic capacity in healthy older adults. Circulation. 2005; 112(5):674-682. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.545459 PMid:16043637.
16. Nelson ME, Rejeski WJ, Blair SN, et al. Physical activity and public health in older adults. Med Sci Sports Exercise. 2007; 39(8):1435-1445. https://doi.org/10.1249/ mss.0b013e3180616aa2 PMid:17762378.
17. Bonaiuti D, Shea B, Iovine R, et al. Exercise for preventing and treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Cochrane Database Systemic Review. 2002; (3):CD000333. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000333 PMid:12137611.
18. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls among older adults: an overview. 2008.
19. Rikli RE, Jones CJ. Senior Fitness Test Manual. 2nd Edition. Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics. 2013.
20. Berg KO, Wood-Dauphinee SL, Williams JI, Maki B. Measuring balance in the elderly: Validation of an instrument. Can J Public Health. 1992; 83(Suppl 2):S7S11.
21. Jones CJ, Rikli RE, Beam WC. A 30-s chair-stand test as a measure of lower body strength in community-residing older adults. Res Q Exerc Sport. 1999; 70(2):113-119. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.1999.10608028 PMid:10380242.
22. Lexell J. Human aging, muscle mass, and fiber type composition. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1995; 50(Spec Issue):11-16. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/50A. Special_Issue.11 PMid:7493202.
23. Villare F, Aguirre LE. Resistance training and healthy aging. Practical Guide to Exercise Physiology. Human Kinetics. 2015. pp. 211-222.
24. Sherrington C, Fairhall NJ, Wallbank GK, Tiedemann A, Michaleff ZA, Howard K, et al. Exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019; 1(1):CD012424. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012424.pub2 PMid:30703272.
25. American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. 11th Edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer. 2021.
26. Berg KO, Wood-Dauphinee SL, Williams JI, Maki B. Measuring balance in the elderly: Validation of an instrument. Can J Public Health. 1992; 83(Suppl 2):S7-S11.
27. Wolf SL, Sattin RW, O’Grady M, Richardson S. A standardized exercise program for elderly persons to reduce fall risk. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2003; 58(7):M618-M624.
28. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls among older adults: an overview. 2008.
29. Lexell J. Human aging, muscle mass, and fiber type composition. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1995; 50(Spec Issue):11-6. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/50A.Special_Issue.11 PMid:7493202.
30. Villare F, Aguirre LE. Resistance training and healthy aging. Practical Guide to Exercise Physiology. J Hum Kinet. 2015. pp. 211-222.
31. Wolf SL, Sattin RW, O’Grady M, Richardson S. A standardized exercise program for elderly persons to reduce fall risk. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2003;58(7):M618-M624.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Chaughule Yashodhan, P Manikandan

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
