This study’s goal was to determine the effects of virtual reality-based balance training on balance of the elderly. The subjects were 32 healthy elderly people aged between 65 and 80, who were divided into a VR (virtual reality) training group (n=17) and a control group (n=15). The VR training group engaged in a 30-minute exercise session using Wii Fit three times a week for eight weeks, while the control group received no intervention. The balance of the two groups was measured prior to and following the intervention. According to the Romberg Test conducted to examine the effects of the training on balance, both the area covered by the body’s center of pressure movement, and movement distances per unit area of the body’s center of pressure envelope significantly decreased in the VR training group. Moreover, the two groups showed significant differences in balance.
This study found virtual reality training to be effective at improving the balance of the healthy elderly. For this reason virtual reality training can be proposed as a type of fall prevention exercise for the elderly.