Iranian Journal of War and Public Health

eISSN (English): 2980-969X
eISSN (Persian): 2008-2630
pISSN (Persian): 2008-2622
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Volume 18, Issue 3 (2026)                   Iran J War Public Health 2026, 18(3): 265-274 | Back to browse issues page

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Ethics code: IR-KHU.KRC.1000.289


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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. Iran J War Public Health 2026; 18 (3) :265-274
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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
* Corresponding Author Address: Department of Sport Injuries and Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Kargar Street, Tehran, Iran. Postal Code: 88351730 (ebrahimeebrahimi703@gmail.com)
Abstract   (585 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.
 
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