Age and Ageing, Vol 28, 289-293, Copyright © 1999 by British Geriatrics Society
K Ringsberg, P Gerdhem, J Johansson and KJ Obrant
OBJECTIVE: To see if there is a relationship between clinical and
laboratory tests of balance, muscular strength and gait in elderly women.
DESIGN: A randomized population-based study. SETTINGS: Malmo, Sweden.
METHODS: We investigated balance with a simple test of standing on one leg,
as well as a computerized balance platform. Muscular strength was tested by
computerized dynamometer. Extension and flexion of the knee and
dorsiflexion of the ankle were tested. We measured the time and number of
steps taken to walk a certain distance and the subjects' height and weight.
PARTICIPANTS: 418 randomly selected 75- year-old women, of whom 230 took
part. RESULTS: There was no relation between the computerized balance tests
and any of the other tests. The non-computerized balance test was
correlated with gait time and number of steps (r = -0.50, P<0.001 and r
= -0.40, P<0.001, respectively). Tests of extension and flexion,
strength of the knee and ankle dorsiflexion were related to gait, speed and
number of steps. Heavy women had poorer balance when assessed by the
non-computerized test (r = -0.32, P<0.001) and with the computerized,
stable platform, eyes-open test (r = 0.27, P<0.001) and eyes-closed test
(r = 0.44, P<0.001). The heavier an individual was, the slower her gait
and the shorter her steps, despite having stronger knee muscles.
CONCLUSION: There is no relationship between the simple balance tests and
computerized platform tests. Muscle strength of the leg is not necessarily
linked to balance, but rather to gait performance.
ARTICLES
Is there a relationship between balance, gait performance and muscular strength in 75-year-old women?
Department of Orthopaedics, Malmo University Hospital, Sweden.
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