Comparison of Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy but Untrained Versus Frail Community-dwelling Older Adults

Falls represent a major public health issue for older adults and loss of balance ability is a primary cause of falls. However, little attention has been given to the balance ability of frail older adults. The objective of this study was to determine differences in static (SB) and dynamic (DB) balance between healthy but untrained older adults and frail community-dwelling older adults. Balance parameters were evaluated in healthy but untrained (HO: n=15) and frail older adults (FO: n=19). A force platform was used to determine indices of SB and DB. Sway Velocity (SV) was used to measure SB standing on a firm surface with eyes open and closed. DB was evaluated using Limits of Stability that measured endpoint excursion (EPE) and maximum excursion (MXE) of the body’s center of pressure while leaning in 8 directions. Reaction time (RT), movement velocity (MV) and directional control (DL) were also used to characterize DB. SB in the HO group was significantly better than the FO group (P< 0.05). For DB measures, EPE and MV in the forward direction was significantly less in the FO group compared to the HO group (P< 0.05). Frail older adults have lower SB and DB when compared to healthy but untrained older adults. Therefore, balancetraining interventions that target these deficits should be implemented with frail older adults to reduce their risk for falls.