The relationship between gait parameters and static and dynamic balance in the elderly

Background: The physiological changes and muscle problems can lead to balance disorder and increased risk of falling among the elderly. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the factors associated with balance in the elderly, to increase their awareness of the falling risks and to provide them with appropriate assistive devices.. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate the relationship between some gait parameters and static and dynamic balance in the elderly.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 44 men and women in two groups (22 per group) participated as the study sample. The measured values included step length, stride length, step width, rotating angle of toes, and static and dynamic balance. The static balance was measured with Romberg test and dynamic balance with TUGTU test. Data were analysed by SPSS-15 software using t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results: There was a significant relationship between step length and stride length with static and dynamic balance and between step width and dynamic balance (p<0/05). But no significant relationship was reported between step width and static balance and between rotating angle of toes with static and dynamic balance among the elderly.

Conclusions: the elderly balance can be improved by decreasing the step length and increasing the stride length, thereby reducing the possibility of their falling.