OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of independently conducted static balance exercises within a fall-safe environment in elderly participants engaging in independent training. DESIGN: Randomized two-group parallel controlled study. SETTING: Retirement center, community dwelling. SUBJECTS: Subjects, 25 male and female volunteers (aged 82.6 +/- 6.1 years; weight 69.9 +/- 97kg; height 165 +/- 6.9cm; body mass index (BMI) 25.6 +/- 2.6) residing in independent living facilities were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. INTERVENTION: The experimental group engaged in standing, static balancing, and mild leg exercise 12 minutes per session, three times per week for 12 weeks. Exercises were done independent of spotters within a rigid frame consisting of tethers connected to the subject so that he or she could not fall. The control group were given literature on prevention of falls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional ability and balance was assessed using the following tests: 30-second chair stand test, 8-foot up and go test, Berg Balance Scale, and a step-up test. RESULTS: Comparison by repeated-measures ANOVA of the performance before and after the 12-week intervention yielded significant (p < 0.01) improvement for the experimental group over the control group in the 30-second chair test repetitions, in the 8-foot up and go test, in the balance assessment and in the leg function assessments. CONCLUSION: Standing, static balance exercises conducted independently without safety supervision led to improvements in balance, functional ability, and leg functioning in frail elderly people.

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