Comparison of the effectiveness of two rehabilitation programs using smovey® Vibroswing rings and dumbbells on balance, physical fitness, foot load, gait and risk of falls in older women.

1.Original exercise program using smovey® Vibroswing rings and dumbbells 2 Currently, a progressive aging process of societies is observed. Old age is a period of life in which involutionary processes take place affecting all body systems, including anatomical and functional systems. Consequently, with age, the efficiency of the postural and motor systems responsible for postural stability gradually decreases, which translates into, among others, to an increased risk of falls. Physiotherapists working with older people are constantly looking for new solutions thanks to which they could better and more effectively activate older people, improve their physical capacity, and thus prevent, among others: falls and their consequences. Opinions of practitioners show that seniors prefer to exercise with various types of equipment. They allow for diversification of repeated exercise regimens and may also have a positive impact on commitment and greater willingness to participate in rehabilitation. One of the newest offerings of exercise equipment dedicated to seniors are the smovey® Vibroswing rings. Smovey® Vibroswing is a vibrating ring system consisting of a spiral hose, 4 steel balls and a handle with a vibration damping element. By moving forward and then moving in the opposite direction, the 4 movable steel balls start to move freely. smovey® Vibroswing rings are recommended for patients with, among others: Parkinson's disease, diabetes, obesity, rheumatic disease, depression or children with ADHD. However, there are no publications in the available Polish and English literature confirming the above-described effectiveness of smovey® Vibroswing rings. There are no publications in the available literature comparing the effectiveness of training/rehabilitation using smovey® Vibroswing rings with other training equipment, including dumbbells. The use of both smovey® Vibroswing rings and dumbbells is simple and intuitive. Thanks to their vibration properties, smovey® Vibroswing rings can be a promising type of therapy used in various ailments, diseases and dysfunctions, especially in the elderly, while dumbbells are one of the most commonly used training and rehabilitation tools, also used in work with the elderly. Therefore, due to the potential of the described accessories and the lack of scientific reports comparing their effectiveness, the aim of our research will be to compare the effectiveness of two rehabilitation programs using smovey® Vibroswing rings and dumbbells on balance, foot load and the risk of falls in older women. 3. Material – 60 women aged between 60 and 70 will take part in the research. The examined women will be divided into 3 groups: ES group (20 women) – experimental – original exercise program using smovey® Vibroswing rings ED group (20 women) – experimental – original exercise program using dumbbells C group (20 women) – control – without therapeutic intervention. The weight of the rings and dumbbells will be the same. Inclusion criteria for studies: age between 60 and 70; no contraindications to undertake physical activity; no injuries within the musculoskeletal system up to 12 months before the start of the project; no cognitive impairment (MMSE score above 27 points). Procedure - In both study groups, an identical rehabilitation program will be carried out, which will consist of 3 parts: a 5-10-minute warm-up (general development exercises), a 30-minute main part (aerobic, balance and strength exercises) and a 5-10-minute cool down ( breathing, relaxation and stretching exercises). Women from the first study group (ES group) will perform all exercises using smovey® Vibroswing rings, and women form the second study group (ED group) will perform all exercises using dumbbells. Both study groups will participate in physical activities three times a week for 6 weeks. Each session will last about 45 minutes, and the intensity of the effort will not exceed 40-60% of maximum heart rate. The heart rate of the study women will be monitored using a heart rate monitor (Polar Sport Tester, Polar Electro Oy, Finland). To monitor adherence to the intervention session attendance checklists will be used. Each session will be provided and supervised by a physiotherapist. Women will exercise in groups of 10 in a special room at the university. Examples of the exercises: Warm-up Exercises in place while standing: - circulation of the wrists, forearms and shoulders backwards - active walking in place, with alternately working arms - lifting arms sideways up, return - moving the arms forward and backward (drawing a circle) - side bends of the torso, arms along the torso - arms crossed over the chest, torso twists Walking exercises: - march with alternating arm work - skipping A marching (above the knee) with alternating shoulder work - skipping C marching (heels towards the buttocks) Main part Exercise in place: - learning and consolidating the correct grip of the equipment (equipment held in both hands) - learning the correct posture during exercise - parallel and alternating swings of varying intensity - foot activation (transition from heels to toes) - balance - activation of knee and hip joints during parallel and alternating swings - raising the knees higher and higher (maximum to a right angle) during parallel and alternating swings - cross swings in place - parallel lateral swings in place - parallel swings - switching from heels to toes – swings alternately - switching from heels to toes - cross swings - switching from heels to toes Movement exercises: - parallel/alternating/crossing swings with lifting the leg, bent at the knee - parallel/alternating/crossing swings with swinging legs forward and backward - parallel/alternating/crossing swings and quarter squats - parallel/alternating swings with a lunge/stride - side swings parallel with leg abduction and adduction - cross swings with abduction to change legs - coordination exercises criss-cross in place / with footwork Cool down part - equipement on the shoulders - activation of the lymphatic system in the sagittal, frontal and transverse planes - massage of legs and arms with equipement while sitting or lying down - breathing exercises - lower rib breathing, in a standing, sitting or lying position. Research tools Senior Fitness Test – physical fitness BioSway balance platform – balance and risk of falls FreeMED platform – foot load Biobit – gait SF – 36 - quality of life 4. Provider of all intervention - physiotherapist (Master degree) 5. Model of delivery: face to face 6. Type of location where the intervention occurred - Central Research and Development Laboratory, University of Physical Education in Krakow, Poland