Abstract
[Purpose] We investigated whether or not it is possible to use the sitting position legs open and close test as an index for prevention of falls among the elderly people. [Subjects] Seventy-five elderly people (12 males and 63 females; average age 78.3 ± 5.3 years) attending our hospital as outpatients were divided into a falls group and a no-fall group based on their histories of falls in the last one year. [Method] The sitting position legs open and close test was performed twice with an interval of at least 30 sec after one practice by both groups, and the greatest value of the performance number was adopted. [Results] We found a significant reduction in the performance number of the falls group compared to the no-fall group. [Conclusion] There is a possibility that the sitting position legs open and close test can be used as an index for the prevention of falls among the elderly people.
