Dynamic Postural Balance Is Mediated by Anthropometry and Body Composition in Older Women

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between anthropometry and body composition with dynamic postural balance in elderly women with low bone mineral density (BMD). Methods: 45 older women (≥ 60 years), low BMD and nutritional diagnosis of low weight to overweight. For the assessment of body composition, Dual energy X-ray emission densitometry and anthropometric examination were used to measure: body mass (kg), height (cm) and BMI (k/m2). The assessment of dynamic postural balance was performed by the mini Balance Master Evaluation System clinical test and the computerized Balance Master® System test by the Sit to Stand and Step Up/Over tests. Results: There was a negative correlation between miniBESTest (r = − 0.566; p ≤ 0.001) and time to ascend and descend step (r = − 0.393; p ≤ 0.007) with fat mass, and positive correlation with miniBESTest (r = 0.526; p ≤0.001) and time to go up and down a step with muscle mass (r = 0.297; p ≤ 0.04). As for anthropometric variables, only height showed a positive correlation (r = 0.296; p ≤ 0.04) with the speed in the sit and stand test. Conclusion: Lean mass reduces postural oscillations; in contrast, fat mass negatively interfered with dynamic postural balance in women with low BMD. Height was related to dynamic postural balance, the taller the elderly, the worse their balance. Level of Evidence II, Prognostic Studies - Investigating the Effect of a Patient Characteristic on the Outcome of Disease.

Relation of Physical Activity Level to Postural Balance in Obese and Overweight Spanish Adult Males: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Generally, this increased weight is associated with an increase in fat mass and concomitant decreased physical activity [60]. Indeed, several authors have reported that a higher fat mass percentage is negatively related to postural stability [20,21,30,61,62]. This relationship is more marked in males [34,43,44] due to accumulated fat mass in the abdominal region.…”