Osman KARACA, Yıldız YURDANUR, Davut AĞAÇ, Nisa KART
İnönü Üniversitesi Sağlık Hizmetleri Meslek Yüksek Okulu Dergisi - 2026;14(2):392-400
Falls caused by balance impairments are among the most important problems leading to a decline in quality of life among older adults. Identifying balance-related factors in middle age is important for public health, as it may contribute to the early prevention of falls in older adulthood. This study investigates the relationships among age, balance, and core and lower-extremity muscle performance in middle-aged individuals. This cross-sectional study was conducted with middle-aged individuals (45-64 years). Balance was assessed using the Unipedal Stance Test, eyes open/closed(UPST-EO/EC), and the Functional Reach Test (FRT). Normalized FRT results were recorded as FRT-N. Core muscle endurance was measured with the Plank Test (PT), and lower extremity strength with the 30-second Chair Stand Test (30-s CST). The participants' mean age was 51.29 +/- 5.30 years. Age was negatively correlated with UPST-EO/EC (p<0.05), but not with FRT-N (p>0.05). Age was not correlated with PT or 30-s CST (p>0.05). UPST-EO was positively correlated with PT and 30-s CST, whereas UPST-EC was correlated only with PT (p<0.05). FRT-N correlated positively with PT and 30-s CST (p<0.05). This study shows that increasing age is associated with decreased balance performance, whereas it shows no significant correlation between age and muscle performance. In middle-aged individuals, better muscle performance was associated with improved balance, indicating a potential relationship between these variables. However, other contributing factors, such as proprioception and vestibular functions, which may play a role in age-related balance decline, should also be investigated.
