Effects of physical therapy with Modified Pencak silat exercise program on muscle strengthening, flexibility, endurance, balancing and fall efficacy in community-Melayu elderly : A Randomized control trails

Abstract

Background: Thailand has entered an aging society, where aging leads to physical decline, affecting the musculoskeletal, respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems, increasing the risk of falls. Pencak Silat, a martial art known for its graceful and dynamic movements, is a key cultural identity of the Thai Muslim community in the southern provinces. However, its impact on elderly physical fitness has not been clearly studied.

Objective: To compare the effects of modified Pencak Silat exercises and general exercise on muscle strength, flexibility, endurance, balance, and fall risk in elderly community.

Material and methods: This study is a randomized controlled trial comparing within and between more than two groups over a 12-weeks period, involving 70 participants divided into two groups of 35 who met the inclusion criteria. The assessment tools used included HG, 10MWT, FRT, 2MST, and TUGTT. The study compared the effects of modified Silat-based exercise program with those of a general exercise program. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t-test for within-group comparisons and one-way ANOVA for between-group comparisons.

Result: After 12 weeks of modified Pencak Silat exercises, elderly individuals in the community showed significant improvements in muscle strength, body flexibility, endurance and balance with a reduced risk of falling compared to those who received general exercises with statistical significance at the 0.001 level.

Conclusion: Modified Pencak Silat exercises can be used to rehabilitate the physical fitness of elderly individuals in various communities and also help preserve the beautiful cultural heritage of the Malay people in the three southern border provinces.