Falls are a major health problem for the elderly and their impact is an important public health issue. One of the causes of falling, sarcopenia is an important health condition. However, it is not easy to measure the muscle mass or function of outpatient clinics by estimate walking speed, grip strength or body composition. Balance test which is a new, easy way to evaluate patients' ability to maintain their posture. The higher the score, the more difficult it was to maintain balance.
We evaluated the correlation between muscle mass, function and balance test score. A total of 29 healthy elderly people (men= 14, women=15) in their 70s were recruited to perform a balance test when subjects stands still, and with eyes closed.
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Method standing with eyes opened for 30 seconds standing with eyes closed for 30 seconds standing with eyes opened for 30 seconds using Balance Pad(19.7" × 16.1" × 2.4", AIREX®, Switzerland) standing with eyes closed for 30 seconds using Balance Pad(19.7" × 16.1" × 2.4", AIREX®, Switzerland)
Grip strength, Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), leg extension power and gait speed were significantly lower in women (P< 0.001 respectively), and the balance score was significantly higher (P< 0.001).
The balance score was significantly higher in women than in men as well as when they opened their eyes (14.3 ± 6.5 vs 10.8 ± 4.1, P=0.036) and closed their eyes. (23.9 ± 10.7 vs 15.8 ± 6.2, p=0.040)
In women, the balance score was significantly correlated with grip strength (p=0.024) and the leg extension power (p=0.018), but the correlation disappeared with thy closed their eyes (p=0.152, and p=0.844, respectively). SMI was not correlated with balance score. In men, the balance score was significantly related with SMI, but not with grip strength, and leg extension power with or without eye opening. However, skeletal muscle mass index was significantly correlated with balance score (p=0.033).
The balance score was related with muscle function or mass, but the relationship has gender difference. More study is warrant to evaluate the usefulness of balance score.
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