Introduction: For maintaining and developing motor mobility in old age motor activity is essential. However, selecting an appropriate physical activity or sport is a main concern for the elderly and their coaches. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of four weeks of playing recreational lifeball on balance and mobility and manipulation of the 60-75 years old women. The results showed that lifeball sport significantly improved balance and manipulation and mobility of elderly. It is recommended that the adaptive sport lifeball can be introduced to coaches and seniors physical activity centers.
Methodology: 30 elderly women were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups of 15. Balance and mobility and manipulation skills were assessed by Bruininks Motor Ability Test. The balance and mobility subscale has 17 items (standing with open eyes, stand with closed eyes, walk on a line, side walking, standing on one leg with open eyes, up and down the steps, walk alternating directions) and subscale of manipulation has 5 item (transferring pennies with preferred hand, transferring pennies with both hand simultaneously, tiring with blocks in preferred hand, stirring with blocks in non preferred hand, sewing with a sewing board). Experimental group played lifeball for 4 weeks (8 sessions of 60 min.) but control group were engaged in daily activities. Lifeball is an adapted basketball developed for independent seniors, and has special rules. After training period dependent variables were tested again.
Results: The results showed that lifeball sport significantly improved balance and manipulation and mobility of elderly (p< 0.05). Discussion: It is recommended that the adaptive sport lifeball can be introduced to coaches and seniors physical activity centers.