Correlation Study On Balancing Ability And Muscle Strength, Flexibility, Reaction Time Of The Elderly In Shanxi Province

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the balancing ability of the elderly aged between60-69in11cities of Shanxi Province and explore its correlation with musclestrength, flexibility and reaction time in order to establish balance testing andevaluation system for the elderly. In that way, early prevention of diseases in theelderly can be paid more attention, functional aging may be delayed and qualityof life can be maintained.MethodsLooking up ralated literatures to have a comprehensive understanding of thedomestic and international balance abilities. The objectives were from11citiesin Shanxi province aged between60-69and determined by stratified clusterrandom sampling. The general characteristics and daily life were analyzed byquestionnaire survey. Besides,this study measured the balance ability of thebody, muscle strength, flexibility and reaction ability using indexes of standing on one foot while closing eyes, grip strength in succession, crook proneness andreaction time of making choice according to 《The national standards manual ofphysique measurement(the elderly part)》.Results(1) Results showed that the average values and scores of balencing abilitiesof the elderly are significantly different among different age groups(P<0.001).The balancing abilities decreased as the increase of age and the scores are in thesimilar level in each age group.(2) The balanceing ability between different gender is significantlydifferent (P<0.01). The female objectives have shorter time of standing on onefoot while closing eyes than males, but higher scores than males.(3) The balanceing ability in different areas is significantly different(P<0.001). The objectives in rural areas have obvious shorter time of standingon one foot while closing eyes than those in urban areas.(4) The scores and abilities of balanceing of the elderly in different exerciseconditions are significantly different (P<0.001). The scores increased as thefrequency and strength of exercise increased. (5)The correlation between balance ability and muscule strength:(1)descriptive analysis: in both age and gender, balance ability of the elderly hassignificant correlation (P <0.01)in addition to the score of65-69year-old group(P>0.05).(2) Partial correlation analysis showed that balancing ability andmuscle strength has no linear correlation.(6) The correlation between balance ability and flexibility:(1) descriptiveanalysis: in both age and gender, balance ability of the elderly has significantcorrelation (P <0.01) between groups.(P>0.05).(2) Partial correlation analysisshowed correlation between balancing ability and muscle strength was notdetermined.(7) The correlation between balance ability and reaction time:(1) descriptiveanalysis: in both age and gender, balance ability of the elderly has significantcorrelation between groups (P<0.001).(2) Partial correlation analysis showed anegative correlation between balancing ability and reaction time.Conclusions(1)The balancing ability of the elderly in Shanxi province is lower in all.(2)Preliminary results revealed that the balance ability decreased with the increase of age and the elderly women balance better than men. The balanceability of the elderly in rural areas are better than those in urban areas. Certainexercises is good for improving the balancing ability of the elderly.(3)Further analysis indicated that only reaction time has lineage correlationwith balancing ability. That means the more flexible of reaction, the better ofbalancing ability.(4)Multi-center research needs to be done to establish balance testing andevaluation system and database of the elderly. We need to pay more attention tothe control of balance function in early stage of diseases and explore thescientific exercise program in order to delay the recession of variousphysiological functions of the elderly and maintain a good quality of life.