Balance, muscle strength, and fear of falling in older adults

This study examined balance ability, lower-extremity muscle strength, fear of falling and their inter-relationships in 40 community-dwelling older adults (>65 years). Subjects who self-identified either as being fearful of falling or not (no concern) were screened to exclude those with known risk factors for falling. Limits of stability, maximal isometric strength, gait speed, and fear of falling were contrasted between groups (27 control subjects, 13 fearful subjects). Those fearful of falling demonstrated smaller center of pressure (COP) excursions in anterior, left, and right directions (p<.0001) and used a smaller percentage of their base of support during maximal weight shifting in combined anterior-posterior and right-left directions (p<.001) compared to the control group. Strength did not differ between groups, but was associated with the ability to shift the COP in the anterior-posterior direction (p<.05). Fear of falling also related to weight shifting ability (p<.017). Seniors fearful of falling demonstrated limitations in balance ability and balance confidence that could not be explained by muscle weakness.