OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immediate effects of a single treatment session of bilateral grade III mobilization of the talocrural joint on the balance of elderly women. METHODS: Thirty-two elderly women (age 65 to 80 years) with low physical activity levels completed balance evaluation using baropodometry, the Functional Reach Test and the Timed Up and Go Test, and plantar flexion and dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), before and immediately after the mobilization (n = 16) or sham (n = 16). Each subject was submitted to a total of twelve 30-second grade III mobilizations, 6 for each ankle, in a single treatment session. RESULTS: No significant difference was found for intragroup and intergroup comparisons in the balance of elderly women during the following evaluations: Functional Reach Test (p = 0.851), Timed Up and Go Test (p = 0.653), anteroposterior oscillation with eyes opened (p = 0.333) and with eyes closed (p = 0.652), and mediolateral oscillation with eyes opened (p = 0.486) and with eyes closed (p = 0.602). In addition, no significant difference was observed in right (p = 0.881) and left (p = 0.060) plantar flexion ROM and in right (p = 0.540) and left (p = 0.341) dorsiflexion ROM. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that a single session of bilateral grade III mobilization of the talocrural joint does not immediately improve balance and ROM in elderly women with low physical activity levels.
Reprinted from the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics with copyright permission from the National University of Health Sciences.

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