EFFECT OF ARM SWING EXERCISES ON CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSE AND BALANCE OF OLDER WOMEN

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of arm swing exercises (ASE) on cardiovascular
response and dynamic body balance of older women. 4 villages were randomly selected. The total population
was 128 participants divided into 64 older women from two villages in the experimental group, another 64 older
women from another two villages in the control group. The experimental group participated in the evening ASE
program, five days a week, lasted for six months. The ASE program began with warming up for 5 minutes,
swinging arms for 30 minutes, and gradually cooling down for another 5 minutes. Data collection consisted of
pre and post-data collection before and after six months of the ASE program exercise. The collected data were
validated by the experienced researcher. An independent t-test was used to compare the mean of both groups
before participating in the ASE program. An intention-to-treat analysis was used for last observation carried
forward missing data. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare the mean of both groups and
Paired t-test within the group. After 6 months of exercising, the cardiovascular response and body balancing of
both groups were measured. The results showed that the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of
participants in the experimental group were declined at 5.64 and 6.72 mmHg respectively while there was only
slightly changed in the control group of which statistically was not significant. In addition, the resting heart rates
of the participants in the experimental group declined to 6.76 beats /minute and their body balancing has
improved. Therefore, the ASE program can be effective to improve BP, HR, and body balancing of older
women.