Community balance and mobility scale: age-related reference values

Affiliated institutions include: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (J. Howe, L. Inness, W. McIlroy, J. Williams), University of Toronto (S. Jaglal)Purpose: To establish age-related reference values for the Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB+M) for healthy adults aged 20-79, as well as explore the relationship between CB+M scores and BMI, strength, gait velocity and physical activity level. Method: 54 healthy participants aged 20-79 completed the CB+M, BMI, 10m Walk Test, grip strength, 30-sec chair stand and International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Means, standard deviations, 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all variables. ANOVA and subsequent t-tests were then performed on CB+M data. Correlation coefficients were calculated between CB+M and each variable. A threshold where CB+M scores began to decline was identified and data were dichotomized into two age categories. T-tests were then conducted to identify between group differences in the variables. Results: CB+M scores begin to decline from age 50 onwards. A moderate correlation between CB+M scores and BMI, 30-second chair stand, and fast-gait velocity were identified. T-tests revealed significant difference between dichotomized groups in BMI (p