The Relationship Between Fall Risk, Balance, Posture, Strength, and Functional Parameters In Healthy Adults

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between posture, fall risk, balance, strength, and functional parameters in healthy adults with exercise habits. In our study, 45 individuals over 55 years of age who came to Denizli province 1200 Asmalı Evler Healthy Aging Center were included. The quadriceps, hamstring, and hand grip strengths of the participants were measured with a dynamometer. Their balance was assessed with the functional reach test, their posture with the New York Posture Rating Chart, their fear of falling with the fall effectiveness scale (FES-1), their functionality with the 30-second sit-stand test, and their flexibility with the sit and reach test. According to the correlation analysis, moderate and high levels of significant positive correlation between hamstring strength and hand grip strength; A weak to moderate positive correlation was found between quadriceps strength and hand grip strength and functional reach test. A moderately significant negative correlation was found between quadriceps strength (right), functional reaching test and fall activity scale and sit and reach test, between quadriceps strength (left) and functional reaching test, waist/hip ratio, and New York Posture Rating Chart (p<0.05). There was no significant relationship between other parameters (p>0.05). These results support that hand grip strength is a valid method for estimating lower extremity strength among healthy adults at the group level. However, there is a weak relationship between balance and hand grip strength.