Evaluation of the Effects of Rehabilitative Exergame Exercises on Foot Muscle Activation, Balance, and Mobility in Older Adults Using Surface Electromyography and Postural Sway Measurements
This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial. A total of 40 healthy older adults residing in private and public nursing homes and rehabilitation centers in Mersin will be enrolled. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (Group 1) or the control group (Group 2). The intervention group will receive rehabilitative interactive game-based exercise training, while the control group will receive functional balance exercise training. Both groups will participate in exercise sessions three times per week, with each session lasting 40 minutes, over a period of 8 weeks. Participants will undergo pre- and post-intervention assessments, including: i) clinical tests and measurements for cognitive, functional, and balance evaluation; ii) surface electromyography (sEMG) measurements recorded during the Functional Reach Test (FRT); and iii) biomechanical measurements obtained via integrated inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors (accelerometer and gyroscope) and the Becure game board. Electrophysiological and biomechanical data will be analyzed using statistical comparisons, correlation analyses, and regression models. Variables derived from time, frequency, and time-frequency domain analyses will be examined to identify potential sEMG and biomechanical biomarkers.
• Aged 65 to 80 years
• Having a minimum of 5 years of formal education
• Ability to walk independently for at least 10 meters, with or without a walking aid if necessary
• Having sufficient cognitive function for communication and participation, defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥26