title: Objectively measured physical activity and balance among U.S. adults.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between objectively measured physical activity (PA) and balance in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults 40 years of age and older. Data from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. Physical activity was measured over a 7-day period using accelerometry, and balance was assessed using the Romberg test. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding their subjective views on difficulty with falling in the past 12 months. For every 60-minute increase in light-intensity PA, participants were 10% (p = 0.04) more likely to have functional balance. Similarly, for every 1-minute increase in log-transformed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, participants were 23% (p = 0.04) more likely to have functional balance. Regular PA, regardless of intensity, may have health benefits for older adults and is associated with functional balance.
authors: 1Department of Exercise Science, Donna and Allan Lansing School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bellarmine University, Louisville, Kentucky; and 2Physical Therapy Program, Donna and Allan Lansing School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bellarmine University, Louisville, Kentucky.
authors: Paul D
authors: PD
authors: Loprinzi
authors: Joseph A
authors: JA
authors: Brosky
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States