BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Home-based exercise is a viable alternative for older adults with difficulties in exercise opportunities outside the home. The aim of this study was to investigate the benefits of homebased rocking-chair training, and its effects on the physical performance of elderly women. METHODS: Community- dwelling women (n = 51) aged 73 to 87 years were randomly assigned to the rocking-chair group (RCG, n = 26) or control group (CG, n = 25) by drawing lots. Baseline and outcome measurements were hand grip strength, maximal isometric knee extension, maximal walking speed over 10 meters, rising from a chair five times, and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The RCG carried out a sixweek rocking-chair training program at home, involving ten sessions per week, twice a day for 15 minutes per session, and ten different movements. The CG continued their usual daily lives. After three months, the RCG responded to a mail questionnaire. RESULTS: After the intervention, the RCG improved and the CG declined. The data showed significant interactions of group by time in the BBS score (p = 0.001), maximal knee extension strength (p = 0.006) and maximal walking speed (p = 0.046), which indicates that the change between groups during the follow-up period was significant. Adherence to the training protocol was high (96%). After three months, the exercise program had become a regular home exercise habit for 88.5% of the subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that home-based elderly women benefit from this easily implemented rocking-chair exercise program. The subjects became motivated to participate in training and continued the exercises. This is a promising alternative exercise method for maintaining physical activity and leads to improvements in physical performance.

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