Acute Effects of Elastic Band Resistance on Postural Stability and Physical Function in Older Adults

Current balance and stability interventions have been shown to improve balance through targeting balance impairments and retraining effects. However, there are key facilitators and barriers 'that older adults may face to participate in such interventions'. Additionally, physical activity interventions fail to integrate older adults into the co-design and co-production of PA interventions. The study will aim to identify the impact and practicalities of an exercise intervention in older adults by performing pre selected exercises with an elastic resistance band attached at the hip and chest region to challenge balance. Static posturography will assess the impacts of the exercise intervention on balance and stability. Researcher led interviews will focus on the participants perceptions of the activities and decision making of exercise selection by selecting components that they are confident to perform which is a key element to creating a practical and enjoyable exercise programme for the older population. This will co-create an intervention that is accessible, acceptable, and appropriate for older adults. The study will establish the physical impact and practicalities of a novel elastic band resistance exercise intervention in older adults by performing force plate posturography and researcher led interviews that will focus on the participants perceptions of the activities and intensity levels to co-create an intervention that is accessible, acceptable, and appropriate for older adults.