Balance disorders increase with aging and raise the risk of falls in the elderly. It has been suggested that the exercise efficiently counteracts these age related disorders, reducing the risk of falling significantly. Whole body vibration (WBV) is a novel modality of exercise shown to improve body balance. The aim of the study, therefore, was to identify chronic effects of WBV and subsequent detraining effects on body balance in elderly females. 24 females with average and standard deviation age of 57.83±3.05 yr, weight 67.11±4.58 kg and height 167.94±4.70 cm who all lived at home and could perform their daily tasks without help participated in this study. They were randomized consecutively into two Groups: the group submitted for the Whole Body Vibration Training Program for the six week and with 3 sessions per week (WBV Group), consisting of 12 subjects and the Control group, consisting of 12 subjects without intervention. Body balance was evaluated in all subjects, before and immediately after completion the exercise period and 4 week after final session of vibration training(for determined effects of detraining) with using the Timed “Up and Go" test. A T-test and two way repeated measure ANOVA and Tukey posthoc used to analyze the data (P≤0.05). Study results showed that WBV training period had a significant effect on body balance (p≤0.05). Also detraining effects on reducing body balance were significant after four weeks of detraining (p≤0.05). Whole body vibration specifically considering the methods of this study could be implemented in conjunction with other training interventions for older adults. Those assumptions however, are tentative since further study is required to specifically examine that theory.
