Balance performance, aging and falling: a comparative study based on a Turkish sample

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Biomechanics
• Kinesiology

Background:

• Balance performance (BP) is crucial for mobility and fall prevention in adults.
• Aging is associated with declines in physical function, including balance.
• Understanding gender-specific differences in BP is important for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of aging and gender on balance performance in ambulatory adults.
• To examine the relationship between balance performance and a history of falls.
• To provide normative data for balance assessment in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• Two hundred forty ambulatory adults were divided into middle-aged (50-64 years) and elderly (65-75 years) groups.
• Balance was assessed using the Functional Reach (FR) test, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Sit to Stand (STS) test, and Step Test (ST).
• Fall history (1-2 falls in the past year) was recorded and analyzed in relation to BP.

Main Results:

• Elderly adults exhibited significantly poorer balance performance across all tested metrics compared to middle-aged adults.
• Gender differences in BP were observed in both age groups, except for FR in the middle-aged group.
• Fallers in the elderly group showed lower FR distances than non-fallers, but no significant differences were found for other tests.

Conclusions:

• Aging progressively diminishes balance performance in ambulatory adults.
• Gender plays a role in balance capabilities, necessitating age- and gender-specific considerations.
• While FR may indicate fall risk in the elderly, other balance tests did not differentiate fallers from non-fallers in this study.