Clinical determinants of failure in balance tests in elderly subjects

Abstract We assessed the role of clinical and biological parameters on performance in four balance tests in elderly subjects. An observational study was conducted in the Center for Preventive Medicine of Nancy (France) in 2368 community-living elderly subjects aged 60 and older. Body mass index (BMI...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of gerontology and geriatrics 2008-09, Vol.47 (2), p.217-228
Main Authors: Manckoundia, Patrick, Buatois, Séverine, Gueguen, René, Perret-Guillaume, Christine, Laurain, Marie-Christine, Pfitzenmeyer, Pierre, Benetos, Athanase
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Factors
Aged - physiology
Balance
Balance and self-perception of health
Balance tests in the elderly
Body Mass Index
Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
Cognitive status and balance
Cross-Sectional Studies
Elderly people
Failure
Falls in the elderly
Female
Geriatric Assessment
Humans
Internal Medicine
Male
Middle Aged
Obesity and balance
Physical Fitness
Postural Balance
Risk factors
Sex Factors
Testing
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Summary:Abstract We assessed the role of clinical and biological parameters on performance in four balance tests in elderly subjects. An observational study was conducted in the Center for Preventive Medicine of Nancy (France) in 2368 community-living elderly subjects aged 60 and older. Body mass index (BMI), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), clock test, “Health score” and use of psychotropic drugs (UPD) were assessed. Participants performed four balance tests: “one-leg-stand” (OLS), “timed-up-and-go” (TUG), “rise-from-the-floor” (RFF) and “sit-to-stand” (STS). The statistical analysis showed that women were almost twice as likely to fail balance tests as men. In both women and men, the following determinant factors of the performance in balance tests were found: for OLS: age, BMI and health score; for TUG: age, BMI, clock test and health score; for RFF: BMI and health score. In addition, in women other determinant factors were: MMSE for OLS, UPD for TUG, age and clock test for RFF. In men, the clock test and the UPD were also significant determinant factors for OLS. Similar results were found for STS. In conclusion, female sex, overweight, low cognitive status, low self-perception of health and UPD were associated with a higher risk of failure in balance tests.
ISSN:0167-4943
1872-6976
DOI:10.1016/j.archger.2007.07.011