Gender-specific impact of falls on ankle function and its relationship with balance in older adults

This study investigated changes in ankle function in older adults with a history of falls and the influence of gender. It also explored the relationship between balance and ankle function in fallers.

A cross-sectional study of 78 nursing home residents [54 women (mean age: 75.54 ± 4.88), 24 men (mean age: 78.87 ± 5.50)] aged ≥65 years was conducted. Ankle dorsi-plantar flexion range of motion (ROM), tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius (GC) electromyography (EMG) activity during contraction/relaxation, and isometric TA/GC strength were measured. Fear of falling (FoF) and balance were assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS), respectively.

Rates of fallers (women %32, men %33) were similar between genders. Men with a history of falls showed higher GC EMG activity (p = .016) and greater FoF (p = .016) than women with fall history. Fallers versus non-fallers in men also exhibited higher GC EMG activity (p = .039) and FoF (p = .011). In men, fall number positively correlated with GC work average and FES. A strong negative correlation existed between BBS and FES in male fallers (r = -0.985, p = .015).

Ankle ROM and muscle function may be unaffected in women post-fall. However, men experiencing falls might have reduced ankle strength, potentially compensated by increased EMG activity. Men appear more significantly impacted by falls psychologically and functionally.