Abstract
Ability to maintain either static or dynamic balance has been found to be influenced by many factors such as height and weight in the elderly. The relationship between other anthropometric variables and balance performance among elderly Nigerians has not been widely studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between these other anthropometric variables and balance performance among old individuals aged >60 years in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study used the ex-post facto design and involved two hundred and three apparently healthy (103 males and 100 females) elderly participants with ages between 60 years and 74 years, selected using multiple step-wise sampling techniques from churches, mosques and market place within Ibadan. They were without history of neurological problem, postural hypotension, orthopeadic conditions or injury to the back and / or upper and lower extremities within the past one year. Selected anthropometric variables were measured, Sharpened Romberg Test (SRT) and Functional Reach Test (FRT) was used to assess static balance and dynamic balance respectively. All data
were summarized using range, mean and standard deviation. Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the physical characteristics, anthropometric variables and performance on each of the two balance tests. The results showed that there were low but significant positive correlations between performance on FRT and each of height, weight, trunk length, foot length, shoulder girth and hip girth. (p<0.05). There was low significant and positive correlation between SRT with eyes closed and arm length, foot length and shoulder girth. (p<0.05) and there was low but significant positive correlation between SRT with eyes opened and shoulder girth and foot length (P<0.05). Anthropometric variables affect balance performances in apparently healthy elderly.
Keywords: Balance performance, elderly and anthropometric variables.
Résumé
L’habilité de maintenir une balance dynamique ou statique a été démontrée influençant plusieurs facteurs tels que le poids et la taille chez les vieillards. La relation entre les variables anthropométriques et la balance de performance parmi les vieillards Nigérians n’a pas été étudiée. Le but de cette étude était d’ investiguer la relation entre ces variables et la performance chez 203 vieillards (103 hommes et 100femmes) âgés entre 60 - 74 ans sélectionner dans les églises, mosquées et marches dans la zone d’Ibadan, Nigeria. Ils n’avaient pas d’histoire de problèmes neurologiques, d’hypertension posturale, de conditions orthopédiques ou blessures des membres supérieurs ou inférieurs depuis un an. Les variables étaient mesurées, les tests de Romberg (SRT) et fonctionnels (FRT) était utilisé pour évaluer la balance statique et dynamique. Toutes les données étaient résumées en intervalle, déviation standard, coefficient de corrélation de Pearson était utilise pour déterminer la relation entre les characteristiques physiques, les variables anthropométriques et la performance de chaque test de balance. Les résultats montraient que ils avaient une réduction mais des corrélations positives et significatives entre le test fonctionnel et le poids, taille, longueur du tronc, longueur de du pieds, largueur des épaules et largueur du bassin (P<0.005).Il y avait une faible significatif et une corrélation positive entre le test de Romberg ayant les yeux fermés, la longueur de l’avant bras, longueur du pieds et la largueur des épaules (P<0.005).
Correspondence: Dr. Ayodeji A. Fabunmi, Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Email: ayofab@yahoo.com
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