In this study, we hypothesized that both boxing training and traditional exercisewould improve function and health-related quality of life over time, but that nontraditional group boxing training would lead to larger improvements than traditional group exercise. However, the only significant difference between groupswas the greater improvement in balance onfidence on the ABC reported by the EX group, refuting our hypothesis. While the exercise programs in this study were matched for time and duration, there were differences in several types of exercises delivered by each program.
The balance activities within the traditional exercise program were employed in a way that it was likely apparent to the participants that they were working on balance. For example, participants in this group practiced various static and dynamic standing activities such as single-leg stance, as well as balance tasks that often mimicked real-world activities (e.g. reaching into cabinets and standing on uneven surfaces). Conversely, the boxing training program indirectly addressed balance through boxing-related activities. While both groups significantly increased balance via the BBS, only the EX group perceived a significant improvement in balance confidence with their change in balance. And a greater number of participants in the EX group exceeded the MDC for the ABC. This may be related to the aspect that the participants in the EX group knew they had been practicing specific tasks aimed at improving their balance. In all, these findings support previous literature that suggests that task-specific practice can optimize performance of those activities practiced (Kwakkel et al., 2007; Mak & Hui-Chan, 2008). In this study, participants in heEXgroupmayhave made more gains in balance confidence because that program was directly focused on retraining balance skills. Alternatively, only the BOX group demonstrated statistically significant improvements from pre- to posttest in gait velocity and gait endurance on the 6MWT.