Balance Differences between North and South American Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional, Age and Sex Matched Study

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the risk of falling in low-, moderate- and high-risk participants from two different geographical locations using a portable force-plate. A sample of 390 older adults from South and North America were matched for age, sex, height and weight. All participants performed a standardized balance assessment using a force plate. Participants were classified in low, moderate and high risk of falling. No differences were observed between South and North American men, nor comparing North American men and women. South American women showed the significantly shorter center of pressure path length compared to other groups. The majority of the sample was categorized as having low risk of falling (male: 65.69% and female: 61.87%), with no differences between men and women. Moreover, no differences were found between North vs. South Americans, nor between male and female groups compared separately. In conclusion, South American women had better balance compatible with the status of the 50–59 years’ normative age-range. The prevalence of low falls risk was~61–65%; the prevalence of moderate to high risk was~16–19%. The frequency of fall risk did not differ significantly between North and South Americans, nor between males and females.