A 12-week physical exercise, cognitive and whole body vibration program can improve physical and cognitive functioning risk factors for falls and fractures in community-dwelling older adults: preliminary results

Abstract

The lack of selective and sustained attention (SSA), balance, lower body strength (LBS), agility and bone mineral density (BMD) are seen as determinants factors for falls and ractures in older adults. A psychomotor intervention relies on the prevention of cognitive, sensory, perceptive and emotional deterioration, exploring the neuroplasticity. The whole body vibration (WBV) promote the increase of muscle strength balance, agility, BMD, preventing falls injuries. However, the benefits of an intervention combining both methods are unknown. The aim of present study is to analyse the impact of a program combining physical exercise, cognitive and WBV on determi- nants factors for falls and fractures in community-dwelling older adults who were fallers or were at high risk of falling.