The Relationships Between Physical Fitness and Static and Dynamic Balance in Geriatric Individuals

The Relationships Between the Physical Fitness Levels of Geriatric Individuals and Their Static and Dynamic Balance

This study looked at the relationship between physical fitness and balance in older adults aged 65 years and over. Balance problems are common in older people and can increase the risk of falls and injuries.

In this study, participants performed simple physical fitness tests, such as walking, standing up from a chair, arm strength, and flexibility tests. Balance was evaluated using standing on one leg and simple movement-based balance tests.

The study aimed to understand whether better physical fitness is related to better balance. The results showed that some aspects of physical fitness were related to dynamic balance (balance during movement), but not to static balance (standing still).

The findings of this study may help health professionals better understand balance problems in older adults and support future research on fall prevention and healthy aging.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Physical Fitness and Balance in Older Adults
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: No Interventions

Detailed Description

This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a geriatric outpatient clinic to examine the relationships between physical fitness and balance in adults aged 65 years and older. Physical fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test components (functional capacity, strength, flexibility, and agility). Static balance was assessed with a one-leg stand test, and dynamic balance was assessed with the functional reach test and the timed up and go test. The primary purpose of the study was to explore whether performance on physical fitness measures is associated with static and/or dynamic balance performance in older adults. This record represents a retrospectively registered observational study with completed participant assessments.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 153

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Malatya, Turkey (Türkiye), 4400
    • Inonu University Turgut Ozal Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consisted of community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older who attended a geriatric outpatient clinic. Participants were ambulatory, able to follow instructions, and provided written informed consent. Individuals with conditions that could significantly affect balance performance were excluded.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants aged 65 years and older.
• Community-dwelling older adults.
• Able to walk independently with or without an assistive device.
• Able to understand and follow verbal instructions.
• Provided written informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of balance disorders related to vestibular, neurological, or orthopedic diseases.
• Severe visual or hearing impairment that could affect balance assessment.
• Diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Presence of psychiatric disorders that could interfere with participation.
• Language or communication barriers preventing completion of the assessments.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Older adults; This observational cohort includes community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older. Participants did not receive any intervention and underwent physical fitness assessments using the Senior Fitness Test and balance assessments including static and dynamic balance tests.	Other: No Interventions; No intervention was applied in this study. This was an observational study in which participants only underwent physical fitness and balance assessments without any therapeutic, behavioral, or exercise intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Dynamic balance performance	Dynamic balance was assessed using the Functional Reach Test and the Timed Up and Go Test, which evaluate balance during movement and functional mobility in older adults.	Baseline and Week 3

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hasan Kalyoncu University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): November 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 10, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 17, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 24, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 24, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 17, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Physical fitness; Older adults; Geriatrics; Dynamic balance; Static balance
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2024-6854

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared because participants did not provide consent for public data sharing, and the data contain sensitive personal and health-related information.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No