A Study Which Investigates the Relationship of Age, Trunk Strength, and Balance Parameters with Fall Risk

Abstract

Introduction: Age-related neural and sensory deteriorations and decline of the musculoskeletal systems affect balance and increase the risk of fall. Our objective in this study is to determine how balance and the risk of fall are affected by increasing age, and search the role of trunk muscle strength on balance.

Materials and Method: A total of 90 female voluntary participants were divided into the age groups of 20-39, 40-59 and >= 60 years (n = 30 for each group). Static balance abilities and the fall risks of the subjects were determined using a computer-aided static posturography device and their trunk muscle strength at 60 degrees/s and 120 degrees/s were assessed using the isokinetic dynamometer equipment.

Results: When the 20-39 age groups are compared with 40-59 and 3 60 age groups regarding the balance measurements, higher index values at low and medium frequency oscillations were detected. Assessment of the correlation between age and Fourier indexes showed that more balance scores were found to deteriorate with increasing age. The deterioration in the balance parameters was observed to be correlated with the trunk flexor and extensor muscle strength, reducing with increasing age.

Conclusion: It was determined that static balance parameters tend to deteriorate and the risk of falls increases with increasing age. The decreasing trunk muscle strength was found to be related to the decline in balance ability and an increased risk of falling.