Effects of a Core Stability Program on Strength and Balance Skills in Senior Over 65

Abstract: The strength core is an important prerequisite to perform sport skills and to perform some everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, postural control. The literature, so far, it is mainly dedicated to the description of the effectiveness of core stability exercises in athletes or in sedentary adults, with lumbar pain. The study describes the effects of a core stability training on balance and sit-to-stand skill in senior aged >65. In total 85 senior (44 female gender, 41 male gender, age 68.4 ± 1.6yrs, height 114, 4 ± 4.3 cm weight 26.8 ± 2.7 kg) partecipated at the recreational motor activity study and were assigned to either an intervention core stability based (CSG, n=43, age 68.4 ± 1.6yrs, height 168 ±4,5, weight 66,4 ±1,8kg) or a control group (CG, n=42, age 67.8 ± 1.6yrs, height 169.3 ±2.2, weight 66.1 ±4.5kg). The training program has had a duration of 8 weeks (3 sessions/week, one hour); CSG,has integrated the activities in recreational form with 6 core stability exercises. The sample was evaluated by McGill Test, Chair Stand Test and Single leg stance test. The results revealed that the 8-week core stability training program improved the core stability test (sit-up position, +13.9%, p<0.01; right side +32.2%, p<0.001; left side +35.9%, p<0.001), balance performance (right limb +19.5%, p<0.01; left limb +19.7%, p<0.01) and strength ability, +13.3%, p<0.05. The study confirms the need to introduce integrative core stability exercise, as well as the literature suggests. The study highlights the transfer of core stability training on the balance and strength ability in senior aged >65.