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Volume 18, Issue 3 (2026)
3 2026, 18(3): 265-274 |
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Received: 2026/06/20 | Accepted: 2026/08/18 | Published: 2026/08/29
Received: 2026/06/20 | Accepted: 2026/08/18 | Published: 2026/08/29
How to cite this article
Mahrouqi S, Ebrahimi E, Davoodeh S, Khosravi M, Mousavi S, Nourbakhsh S. The Effect of an 8-Week Pickleball Program on Balance, Fear of Falling, Quality of Life, and Executive Function in Male Older Adults. 3 2026; 18 (3) :265-274
URL: http://ijwph.daneshafarand.org/article-3-87257-en.html
URL: http://ijwph.daneshafarand.org/article-3-87257-en.html
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Authors
S.M. Mahrouqi1 
, E. Ebrahimi *1 , Sh. Davoodeh2 , M. Khosravi1 , S.E. Mousavi3 , S.A.H. Nourbakhsh4
, E. Ebrahimi *1 , Sh. Davoodeh2 , M. Khosravi1 , S.E. Mousavi3 , S.A.H. Nourbakhsh4
1- Department of Sport Injuries and Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Physical Education, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Biomechanics and Sports Injuries, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
4- Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
2- Department of Physical Education, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Biomechanics and Sports Injuries, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
4- Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
Abstract (57 Views)
Aims: This study examined the effects of an 8-week pickleball program on balance, fear of falling, quality of life, and executive function in older adults.
Materials & Methods: In this nonrandomized quasi-experimental study, 34 older men aged 60–75 years were divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in an 8-week pickleball program. Balance, fear of falling, quality of life, and executive function were assessed using the timed up and go test under dual-task conditions, the Falls Efficacy Scale-International, the 36-Item Short Form Survey, and the Tower of London test, respectively.
Findings: The intervention group demonstrated significant differences compared with the control group in the total score (p=0.026, η²p=0.150), total time (p=0.044, η²p=0.125), and number of errors (p=0.020, η²p=0.163) on the Tower of London test, indicating improvements in executive function. For the Falls Efficacy Scale-International, the intervention group demonstrated a significant difference compared with the control group (p=0.006, η²p=0.217), indicating a decreased fear of falling after the intervention. Additionally, the intervention group demonstrated a significant difference compared with the control group on the timed up and go test (p=0.031, η²p=0.141), indicating greater improvement in balance. For the 36-Item Short Form Survey, the intervention group demonstrated a significant difference compared with the control group (p=0.033, η²p=0.138), suggesting a positive effect of the intervention on quality of life.
Conclusion: An 8-week pickleball program is associated with improvements in balance, executive function strategy, fear of falling, and quality of life among older male adults.
Materials & Methods: In this nonrandomized quasi-experimental study, 34 older men aged 60–75 years were divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in an 8-week pickleball program. Balance, fear of falling, quality of life, and executive function were assessed using the timed up and go test under dual-task conditions, the Falls Efficacy Scale-International, the 36-Item Short Form Survey, and the Tower of London test, respectively.
Findings: The intervention group demonstrated significant differences compared with the control group in the total score (p=0.026, η²p=0.150), total time (p=0.044, η²p=0.125), and number of errors (p=0.020, η²p=0.163) on the Tower of London test, indicating improvements in executive function. For the Falls Efficacy Scale-International, the intervention group demonstrated a significant difference compared with the control group (p=0.006, η²p=0.217), indicating a decreased fear of falling after the intervention. Additionally, the intervention group demonstrated a significant difference compared with the control group on the timed up and go test (p=0.031, η²p=0.141), indicating greater improvement in balance. For the 36-Item Short Form Survey, the intervention group demonstrated a significant difference compared with the control group (p=0.033, η²p=0.138), suggesting a positive effect of the intervention on quality of life.
Conclusion: An 8-week pickleball program is associated with improvements in balance, executive function strategy, fear of falling, and quality of life among older male adults.
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