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The Influences of Mindfulness and Neuromotor Exercise Mode on Balance in Healthy Older Adults

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Date Issued:
2017
Abstract/Description:
This study investigated the roles of mindfulness and balance to optimize strategies for fall prevention in healthy older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of mindfulness with respect to balance in healthy older adults who are experienced in meditative versus non-meditative modes of neuromotor exercise. This was a comparative descriptive study that used a convenience sample of N=86 older adults (20 male; mean age = 69.33 (&)#177; 7.24; range: 60 (-) 93 years). The sample included experienced participants of meditative (e.g., yoga, Tai chi) and non-meditative (e.g., partnered dance) neuromotor exercise recruited from community yoga, Tai chi, and dance studios, respectively. The variables of mindfulness, age, and sex were examined as predictors of the outcome variable of balance. Dispositional mindfulness was measured with the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and postural balance was assessed using the One-legged Stance Test, a measure of the number of seconds a participant can stand on one with eyes closed. Multiple regression analyses were used to answer the research questions. The results did not reveal either mode of neuromotor exercise to predict balance better; neither age nor sex was a moderator of mindfulness, and mindfulness did not act as a mediator between age, sex, and balance. What the findings did reveal were higher levels of balance and mindfulness amongst study participants compared to normative community-dwelling populations from the published literature. Next, balance was found to decrease with increasing age and was greater in males than females. Most remarkably, dancers were found to have significantly higher levels of mindfulness than Tai chi and yoga participants, which suggests that formal meditation may not be an essential component of neuromotor exercise for the cultivation of mindfulness. The results have important implications for theory, research, practice, and policy.
Title: The Influences of Mindfulness and Neuromotor Exercise Mode on Balance in Healthy Older Adults.
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Name(s): Hicks, Maxine, Author
Chase, Susan, Committee Chair
Forlaw, Loretta, Committee Member
Bushy, Angeline, Committee Member
Mundale, Jennifer, Committee Member
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2017
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: This study investigated the roles of mindfulness and balance to optimize strategies for fall prevention in healthy older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of mindfulness with respect to balance in healthy older adults who are experienced in meditative versus non-meditative modes of neuromotor exercise. This was a comparative descriptive study that used a convenience sample of N=86 older adults (20 male; mean age = 69.33 (&)#177; 7.24; range: 60 (-) 93 years). The sample included experienced participants of meditative (e.g., yoga, Tai chi) and non-meditative (e.g., partnered dance) neuromotor exercise recruited from community yoga, Tai chi, and dance studios, respectively. The variables of mindfulness, age, and sex were examined as predictors of the outcome variable of balance. Dispositional mindfulness was measured with the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and postural balance was assessed using the One-legged Stance Test, a measure of the number of seconds a participant can stand on one with eyes closed. Multiple regression analyses were used to answer the research questions. The results did not reveal either mode of neuromotor exercise to predict balance better; neither age nor sex was a moderator of mindfulness, and mindfulness did not act as a mediator between age, sex, and balance. What the findings did reveal were higher levels of balance and mindfulness amongst study participants compared to normative community-dwelling populations from the published literature. Next, balance was found to decrease with increasing age and was greater in males than females. Most remarkably, dancers were found to have significantly higher levels of mindfulness than Tai chi and yoga participants, which suggests that formal meditation may not be an essential component of neuromotor exercise for the cultivation of mindfulness. The results have important implications for theory, research, practice, and policy.
Identifier: CFE0006883 (IID), ucf:51724 (fedora)
Note(s): 2017-12-01
Ph.D.
Nursing, Nursing
Doctoral
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): Mindfulness -- Balance -- Fall Prevention -- Aging -- Older Adults -- Neuromotor Exercise -- Dance -- Ballroom Dance -- Tai Chi -- and Yoga.
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006883
Restrictions on Access: campus 2018-12-15
Host Institution: UCF

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