Effects of Global Postural re-Education Program

Effects of Global Postural re-Education Program on the Biomechanical Characteristics of the Elderly Balance.

The postural alterations present in the seniors people act as predisponent form of incapacities that provoke alterations in the quality of life. The objective of this study is to evaluate the biomechanical characteristics of the balance of elderly people, before and after treatment with Global Postural Re-education. This research is characterized by experimental method of investigation.Thirty elderly people (30 women) will be randomized to two different groups from Group of Studies of Third Age - GETI, at University of the State of Santa Catarina:

• fifteen elderly women will be submitted to the Global Postural Re-education (GPR) program and to the GETI program of activities
• fifteen elderly women will be submitted only to the GETI program of activities.

At baseline the subjects will be screened for balance measurements with the chattecx balance system and Berg Scale. These measurements will be repeat immediately after the intervention. The subjects randomised to the GPR program will participate in posture retraining techniques of approximately forty minutes, one time a week for ten weeks. The independent t test for pairs of random samples will be used, with level of significance of p≤0,05.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Senior that accomplish physical activity in the GETI (group of studies of the third age - Santa Catarina State University)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Visually impaired person
• Vestibular disorder
• Neurologic disorders
• Use of prostheses and ortheses
• Cancer