Abstract
[Purpose] We studied the relationship between balance ability and lower extremity muscular strength in the elderly, and compared the data by gender, age, and the TMIG index of competence scores. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were 69 persons with an average age of 77.4 years. [Methods] Balance ability was assessed using center of gravity sway data for a static-standing posture and the Functional Reach Test (FRT) scores. Lower extremity muscular strength was assessed using measurements of knee extensor and ankle dorsiflexor strengths. For the age group analysis, subjects were divided into those above and below the median age(≤78 years and ≥79). For the activity level analysis, subjects were divided according to their TMIG index of competence score into those with scores of <11 and those with scores of ≥11. [Results] The study showed that lower extremity strength was negatively correlated with sway of center of gravity and positively correlated with FRT scores. Negative correlation between sway of the center of gravity and lower extremity strength was observed in women aged ≥79 whose TMIG index of competence score was <11. In contrast, lower extremity strength was positively correlated with FRT in women aged ≤78 whose TMIG index of competence score was ≥11. [Conclusion] In the elderly, there seem to be different characteristics that are dependent on physical ability in the relationship between balance ability and lower extremity muscular strength.
