ABSTRACT

Background: Elderly is a natural process in humans, where physiological abilities will decrease. Falls are a problem that often arises in the elderly as a result of a decrease in balance. By providing elderly exercise is expected to reduce the risk of falling in the elderly. This study aimed to determine the effect of health promotion and elderly exercise for knowledge and balance among the elderly.
Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study with pre and post-test one group design conducted in Pucang Sawit, Surakarta, Central Java, in August 2021. A total of 50 elderly was selected by random sampling. The dependent variables were knowledge and balance. The independent variables were health promotion and elderly exercise. The data were collected by Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and analyzed by Wilcoxon.
Results: Knowledge of the elderly was higher after intervention (Mean= 368; SD= 7.41) than before (Mean= 242; SD=4.95) and it was statistically significant (p< 0.001). Balance in the elderly after intervention (Mean= 41.78; SD= 1.31) was higher than before (Mean= 36.29; SD= 1.38) and it was statistically significant (p< 0.001).
Conclusion: Health promotion and elderly exercise intervention increases knowledge and balance among the elderly.

Keywords: health promotion, elderly exercise, balance, elderly