The relationships between physical activity and static balance in elderly people

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between physical activity levels, types and static balance in elderly people. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was used to assess physical activity levels and types. Static balance indicating the path length and the body sway area of the center of pressure was measured by five static balance tests using the static force platform. The tests included standing on one leg with eyes opened, standing on two legs with feet apart and together, and being in the two-leg stance positions with eyes opened and closed. Thirty-seven subjects completed all measurements. in the total sample, most (55.32%) PASE points were accounted for by household-related activity, and the PASE scores were between 20.04 and 222.07. But there was no significant difference between static balance and physical activity levels, and between static balance and various physical activity types. However, static balance with eyes opened was significantly better than with eyes closed. Physical activity levels were low amongst elderly people and the primary physical activity types were sedentary-orientated and walking. Hence, the physical activity of elderly people might be too light to affect static balance. However, the results inferred the importance of vision in the static balance of elderly people. Use of vision as a factor to measure static balance in elderly people could increase the discriminability. Further investigations on the factors that influence the capability of elderly to balance are required to improve and to serve as references in the prescription of exercise for elderly people.