BACKGROUND: Ageing commonly disrupts the balance control and compensatory postural responses that contribute to maintaining balance and preventing falls during perturbation of posture due to the weakness of ankle dorsiflexors and plantar flexor. This can lead to increase of falling in older adults over the age of 65. MATERIALS AND METHODS: STUDY DESIGN: Pre-post-test experimental design, 40 elderly subjects both male and female in the age group of 60 to 70 years were randomised in to two groups: subjects in experimental (n = 20) were treated with 4-week exercise programme using elastic tubing with conventional physiotherapy and control (n = 20) were treated with conventional physiotherapy for 4 weeks. The duration of treatment was 4 weeks in both groups. Outcome measures included were Berg Balance Scale and manual muscle testing. RESULTS: In experimental group Berg Balance Score was found to be significant (EXP 45.00 +/- 2.4 p < 0.001). Manual muscle testing score for post intervention for right and left ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors in experimental group was not found to be significant (EXP right ankle DF 3.40 +/- 0.50, p > 0.108, right ankle PF 3.45 +/- 0.51, p > 0.059, left DF 3.45 +/- 0.51, p > 0.317, left ankle PF 3.40 +/- 0.50, p > 0.157). In control group post intervention Berg Balance and manual muscle testing score was not found to be significant. CONCLUSION: The 4-week exercise programme using elastic tubing is effective on balance in elderly subjects.

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