The effect of posture and breathing exercises on balance and body awareness in geriatric individuals

Reductions in endurance The role of physical activity and exercise gains importance in protecting the health of the elderly and adapting to an active life. This study aims to analyze the effects of posture and breath exercises on the balance and body awareness of geriatric individuals. Individuals were divided into two groups as exercise (n=40) and walking (n=40) by simple randomization method. The walking group members were advised to walk for 30 minutes. Besides, the exercise group members were advised to implement posture and breath exercises one in three days for eight weeks. The individuals were evaluated in terms of their balance and body awareness before the treatment. Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PACE) was used to measure the physical activity of the elderly individuals, EQ-5D Quality of Life Scale and EQ-5D VAS score were used to measure the life quality, body awareness questıonnaire (BAQ) and Berg Balance Scale were used to measure the body awareness. According to the findings of the study, It was determined that there was no statistically significant change in balance levels and quality of life for the exercise and walking groups (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant increase in body awareness levels for the exercise group (p<0.05); It was determined that there was no statistically significant change for the walking group (p<0.05). It was determined that there was no statistically significant change in balance levels and quality of life for the exercise and walking groups (p>0.05). It was observed that there was no statistically significant difference between the exercise and walking groups in all measurements (p>0.05). According to the result, it was concluded that exercise and walking have the same effect in terms of physical activity levels, balance and quality of life of the individual, and that it has a more beneficial effect for body awareness in individuals who only exercise compared to the walking group. We believe that walking and exercise programs in geriatric individuals will increase physical activity, improve body awareness and contribute to healthy aging processes.