Authors
Heidi E. Deuel, Department of Kinesiology, St Olaf College, Northfield, MN 55057, USA
Sarah F. Oppenheim, Department of Kinesiology, St Olaf College, Northfield, MN 55057, USA
Ashlyn M. Jore, Department of Kinesiology, St Olaf College, Northfield, MN 55057, USA
Jennifer Miller, Department of Kinesiology, St Olaf College, Northfield, MN 55057, USA
International Journal of Exercise Science 19(7): 7012, 2026.
DOI: 10.70252/IJES2026712
Abstract
Falls are a leading cause of injury and functional decline in older adults. Traditional fall prevention programs often focus on improving strength and balance through predictable movement patterns that may not reflect real- world scenarios. Perturbation-based balance training (PBT) has emerged as a promising intervention to improve reactive balance; however, evidence supporting short-term, clinically feasible protocols remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of a 4-week PBT program on functional mobility in community-dwelling older adults. Thirty participants (67.71 ± 8.16 years) completed eight training sessions over four weeks using a perturbation treadmill (ActiveStep™). Sessions included progressive slips and trips under dual-task conditions. Functional performance was assessed before and after the intervention using the 30-second Sit-to-Stand (STS) and 8-Foot Up-and-Go (8UG) tests. Paired t-tests and Cohen’s d effect sizes were calculated. STS performance improved by 2.27 ± 3.99 repetitions (t(29) = 3.11, p = 0.0042, ES = 0.528), 8UG time decreased by 0.49 ± 1.10 seconds (t(29) = -2.434, p = 0.0213, ES = -0.370), and trip perturbation level increased significantly (0.87 ± 1.17; t(29) = 4.069, p < 0.001, ES = 0.766). Changes in slip perturbation level were not significant (0.5 ± 1.38; t(29) = 1.980, p = 0.0573, ES = 0.416). These findings demonstrate that even a brief PBT program can improve functional strength, mobility, and trip recovery performance in healthy older adults, supporting its potential as a practical fall-prevention intervention.
Recommended Citation
Deuel, Heidi E.; Oppenheim, Sarah F.; Jore, Ashlyn M.; Miller, Jennifer (2026) “The Effects of a 4-Week Perturbation-Based Training on Functional Outcomes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults,” International Journal of Exercise Science, 19(7):7012.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70252/IJES2026712