INTRODUCTION: With the increase of chronological age, the human body goes through a period of transformations that generate decline of some physical capacities. One of the factors that limit the life of elderly nowadays is the postural balance. Thus, the objective of this research was to analyze the effect of four weeks of a proprioceptive training program in the measures of the postural balance of aged people, in order to determine the effectiveness of a simple strategy of intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine aged people of both genders registered in the unit of attention to the third aged in the city of Uberaba, MG - Brazil, with the average age of 72,8 (± 5,38) years, who were submitted to a proprioceptive training that consisted approximately of trainings through a march in a track with eight meters, approximately, composed of four types of ground with gradual difficulties. The training frequency was twice a week, 20 minutes each session, during four weeks. RESULTS: After four weeks of training, there was significant decrease in the variation during the Romberg's application with eyes closed in stable ground (p = 0.001), with eyes closed on stable ground (p = 0.02) and with eyes closed in unstable ground (p = 0.002); evolution of the score in Berg's scale of balance (p = 0.001) and an increase in the speed of the march in the track (p = 0.00001). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the proprioceptive training proposed was efficient for the postural balance of aged ones.
Elderly; Postural balance; Proprioception
