Increasing postural sway in balance test is related to locomotive syndrome risk: A cross-sectional study

Locomotive syndrome risk level has been recently proposed to evaluate physical ability. Impaired balance control is one of the most important risk factors for falls. However, the relationship between locomotive syndrome risk and postural sway according to the balance test is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between locomotive syndrome risk and balance test results, including muscle mass and physical function, in a large-scale prospective general health checkup.

We enrolled 292 participants who underwent a basic health checkup and conducted a two-step test, stand-up test, evaluation using a 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale for the locomotive syndrome risk test, balance test, appendicular skeletal muscle mass measurement by bioelectrical impedance analysis, evaluation of physical function by the timed-up-and-go test, and back muscle and grip strength evaluation. A statistical comparative study was then conducted between normal and locomotive syndrome risk groups. Subsequently, significant factors for locomotive syndrome risk were investigated by multivariate analysis.

The comparative study was conducted by adjusting age and sex using a generalized linear model. No significant difference in muscle mass existed, but postural sway in the balance test significantly increased in the people at locomotive syndrome risk. Among the four posturographic variables by balance test, increase in back-and-forth sway was the most remarkable variable associated with locomotive syndrome risk together with back muscle strength, body mass index, and the timed-up-and-go test by logistic regression analysis. This posturographic variable was significantly related to the timed-up-and-go test and leg skeletal muscle mass by multiple regression analysis.

A relationship was recognized between locomotive syndrome risk and postural sway. In particular, increase in back-and-forth sway was an important factor for locomotive syndrome risk. If the balance test shows an increase in back-and-forth sway, attention should be paid to locomotive syndrome risk for possible intervention and early treatment.