The Relationship among Ankle Function, Functional Capacity, and Body Composition to Balance in Geriatric Populations

The primary purpose of this research study was to identify significant relationships among measures of ankle strength, ankle range of motion, body composition, and functional capacity to balance ability in geriatric populations which may potentially assist in identifying older individuals with increased risk of falling. A battery of five test (ankle strength assessments, ankle range of motion , DXA, functional fitness, and balance) were administered to 20 participants (6 males, 14 females, mean age 69.78 ± 3.98) that had indicated to be at least 65 years of age or older and no history of falls within the previous 12 months. Results demonstrated that no significant statistical relationships exist between functional components (R2 = .240, Part2 = .11, p = .358), relative strength (R2 = .240, Part2 = .09, p = .358), range of motion (R2 = .240, Part2 = .00, p = .358) and body composition (R2 = .240, Part2 = .07, p = .358) as each relates to balance. Additionally, the data failed to demonstrate any significant relationship of relative ankle strength (R2 = .19, Part2 = .08, p = .221) and ankle range of motion (R2 = .10, Part2 = .08, p = .221) as compared to functional capacity. Although the data failed to demonstrate statistical significance or strong correlations, the individual components effect on balance may be more appropriately observed when combined with more complex indicators of fall risk such as gait analysis or biomechanical measures in dynamic balance conditions