Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of exercise in and out of the water on the balance level and falling risk of healthy male older people.
Methods & Materials: A total of 45 old men, ≥65 years, were randomly selected and divided into 3 groups of exercising in the water, exercising out of the water, and control. Each group included 15 people. Two groups of exercising in and out of the water participated in the similar exercises for 12 weeks, 3 sessions per week, each session lasting 60 minutes.
Results: The findings of the study showed that exercise programs in and out of the water have significant effect on the static and dynamic balance and the falling risk of older people (P≤0.05). The results indicated significant differences between the subjects of exercise and control groups (P≤0.05) after the exercise program. However, the results did not show any significant differences between 2 groups exercising in and out of the water (P≥0.05).
Conclusion: According to this study, doing the exercises in or out of the water is effective on improving the static and dynamic balance of old people and reducing their risk of falling.