Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of three protocols (Adapted Physical
Activities, Wii Fit((R)), Adapted Physical Activities + Wii Fit((R))) on the balance of independent senior subjects. DESIGN: Case comparison study. SETTINGS:
Healthy elderly subjects living in independent community dwellings. SUBJECTS:
Thirty-six subjects, average age 75.09 +/- 10.26 years, took part in this study,
and were randomly assigned to one of the four experimental groups: G1 followed an
Adapted Physical Activities training programme, while the second group (G2)
participated in Wii Fit((R)) training and the third one (G3) combined both
methods. There was no training for the fourth group (G4). All subjects trained
once a week (1 hour) for 20 weeks and were assessed before and after treatment.
MAIN MEASURES: The Tinetti test, unipedal tests and the Wii Fit((R)) tests.
RESULTS: After training, the scores in the Tinetti test decreased significantly
(P < 0.05) for G1, G2 and G3 respectively in static conditions and for G1 and G3
in dynamic conditions. After training, the performance in the unipedal tests
decreased significantly (P < 0.05) for G1 and G3. The position of the centre of
gravity was modified significantly (P < 0.05) for G2 and G3. CONCLUSION: After 20
training sessions, G1 (Adapted Physical Activities), G2 (Wii Fit((R))) and G3
(Adapted Physical Activities and Wii Fit((R))) improved their balance. In
addition, G1 and G3 increased their dynamic balance. The findings suggest that
Adapted Physical Activities training limits the decline in sensorial functions in the elderly.

Langue : ANGLAIS