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Abstract

Falls in New York State result in 60% of older adults ending up in nursing homes or rehabilitation centres, with 27% experiencing hip fractures. These falls are the primary cause of two-thirds of deaths, often due to age-related postural stability decline. Fortunately, exercise offers a solution to address this decline. Consequently, engaging in online exercise programs at home can effectively enhance postural stability, along with using blood flow restriction (BFR) techniques to increase strength even with lower intensity exercise levels. PURPOSE:This study investigates whether online dance classes with BFR can improve strength and postural stability of women aged 65 and older. METHODS:These ballet classes were held twice a week on Zoom, each session lasting 75 minutes for a period of 12 weeks. 9 female participants were randomly assigned to the BFR (n=4, average age 72.0 ± 2.6 years) or control group (n=5, average age 75.2 ± 7.4 years). BFR participants wore a 2-inch elastic cuff during dance sessions. Assessments, including the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), 30-Second Sit-to-Stand, and Calf-Raise Senior (CRS), occurred one week before, at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks. Friedman’s test with a Wilcoxon signed rank post hoc was used to evaluate significance. RESULTS:The results revealed improvements in strength, as indicated by the CRS results for participants in the control group (mid-post p=.042; pre-post p=.043). The control group exhibited enhancements in the SEBT, particularly in the anterior (pre-mid p=.045), anterior-lateral (pre-mid p=.043; pre-post p=.043), lateral (pre-mid p=.043; pre-post p=.043), and posterior-lateral (pre-mid p=.043; pre-post p=.043) directions. However, the BFR group did not demonstrate any significant improvements, possibly due to the size of the participant pool. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the potential of online dance classes as an inclusive program for fall prevention, offering older women an effective way to enhance their fitness, self-reliance, and overall well-being. Online dance classes offer a practical and accessible way to enhance the well-being of older individuals by providing a convenient and engaging solution for active participation in a social and enjoyable activity.

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