Abstract: BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have indicated that stroboscopic visual interference combined with balance training can promote postural stability by reducing visual compensation in the central nervous system and increasing residual proprioceptive and vestibular input during training. 
OBJECTIVE: To clarify the effects of stroboscopic visual interference combined with balance training on improving balance ability of older adults by comparing the effects of balance training under different visual conditions.
METHODS: Forty-three older adults were recruited and randomized into a normal balance training group (n=23) and a strobe vision training group (n=20). Among them, the balance training content was the same, and the training was conducted 3 times per week for 8 weeks. For the strobe vision training group, strobe glasses were worn during the balance training, and the strobe difficulty level (levels 1-8) was adjusted adaptively. Indicator tests were conducted at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 10 to assess the dynamic and static postural stability and the scores on the Berg Balance Scale of all subjects.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Static postural stability: Subjects in both groups had a significant time main effect (P < 0.001) but not a group effect (P=0.530) or a group×time interaction effect (P=0.780) in the plane closed-eye, one-legged standing test. In the soft couch, closed-eye, one-legged standing test, there was a significant time (P < 0.001) and group (P=0.024) effect in both groups, but no group×time interaction effect (P=0.063). Compared with pre-training, subjects in both groups showed significant improvements in static postural stability after 8 weeks (P=0.034; P < 0.001) and 10 weeks (P=0.003; P < 0.001) of training in both tests. (2) Dynamic postural stability: There was a significant group×time interaction effect on dynamic postural stability (P < 0.001). The main effects of group (timed-up-walk and 3-meter heel-toe walk test were P=0.461 and P=0.926, respectively) and time (two tests were P=0.120 and P=0.937, respectively) on the test were not statistically significant. Compared with pre-training, the dynamic postural stability of the two groups was significantly improved after 4, 8, and 10 weeks of training (all P < 0.05). (3) Berg Balance Scale score: There was a significant time effect (P < 0.001); the factors of group (P=0.420) and group×time (P=0.239) were not statistically significant for Berg Balance Scale Score. When compared with the pre-training period, subjects in the two groups had higher Berg Balance Scale Scores after 4 (P=0.025), 8 (P < 0.001), and 10 (P=0.003) weeks had higher Berg Balance Scale scores than before training. (4) In summary, both traditional balance training and stroboscopic training can significantly improve the dynamic and static stability of the elderly. Compared with the traditional balance training, the balance training based on stroboscopic visual interference can significantly improve the dynamic balance ability of the elderly group.

Key words: stroboscopic vision, older adults, balance training, fall, dynamic postural stability