Journal of health research in community

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shahrokhi H, Ebrahimi E, Tarkhasi A. The Effect of Eight Weeks of Frankel’s Exercises on Balance, Reaction Time, Gait Parameters, and Quality of Life among Older Male Adults Attending Day Care Centers in Sabzevar. J Health Res Commun 2025; 11 (3) :2-15
URL: http://jhc.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-1178-en.html

Introduction and Purpose Age-related decline in sensorimotor function significantly increases the risk of falls in older adults, impacting their independence and quality of life (QoL). Frenkel exercises, a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation approach, have shown potential to improve motor control. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an eight-week Frenkel exercise program on static and dynamic balance, choice reaction time, gait parameters, and health-related quality of life in older men aged ≥75 years.
Methods This randomized controlled clinical trial included 40 older men (mean age: 78.52±2.52 years) attending elderly day care centers in Sabzevar, Iran, who were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=20, performed Frenkel exercises) and control (n=20, received routine care) groups. The intervention consisted of 24 supervised sessions (three sessions per week, each for 45–60 minutes) for eight weeks. Outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Sharpened Romberg Test (static balance), Timed Up & Go Test (dynamic balance), modified Choice Reaction Time Test, 8-meter Walk Test (gait speed and step length), and the 36-item short form survey (Quality of life). The group comparisons were done using mixed analysis of variance in SPSS software version 27, with the significance level set at 0.05.
Results The intervention group showed significant improvements compared to the control group in all outcomes: static balance (+2.18 seconds, P<0.001, η²=0.41), dynamic balance (-2.4 seconds, P<0.001, η²=0.38), reaction time (-0.31 seconds, P<0.001, η²=0.35),  gait speed (+0.18 m/s, P<0.001, η²=0.33), step length (+4.6 cm, P<0.001), and QoL (+7.19 points, P<0.001, η²=0.44). No adverse effects were reported during the intervention.
Conclusion The 8-week Frankel exercise program can significantly improve balance, choice reaction time, gait, and QoL in older men aged>75. These findings support integrating Frankel’s exercises into fall prevention and rehabilitation programs for older adults, particularly in clinical settings. Given their low cost, minimal equipment requirements, and absence of adverse effects, Frankel exercises offer a practical and promising strategy for enhancing functional independence in older men.