Contribution of maximal and explosive force production capacity to balance performance in older men and women of different ages

Aim. Aim of the research was to assess the extent to which measures of lower-extremity muscle strength were predictive of scores on the functional reach test (FRT), single leg balance (SLB), the Romberg test (RT), and the extended timed get up and go (ETGUG) in different group ages. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the sport and health community-dwelling center. The study enrolled 53 community-dwelling adults who volunteered for participating in the study and were divided into two groups according to their age (group 1: 55-69 years old [N.=23; 8 men, 15 women, 61.8±3.9 years old]; group 2: 70-89 years old [N.=30; 9 men, 21 women, 75.2±4.7 years old]). Main outcome measures: strength measures (knee extension isometric strength, KEIS) and explosive strength, CMJ); balance measures (FRT, SLB, RT, and ETGUG). Results. In group 1 (younger) SLB test showed the highest significant correlations with knee extensor isometric strength (r=-0.79, P<0.05). In group 2, ETGUG test showed the highest significant correlations with KEIS and the CMJ average height jump (r=-0.53 and r=-0.49, P<0.05). Conclusion. ETGUG showed to be more sensitive in determining isometric and explosive strength measures in the older group, while SLB and RT eyes closed seemed to be more sensitive in the younger one.