Changes in Performance on the Balance Board Test and Motor Fitness over Time in Elderly Women

Abstract

The balance board (BB) test is used to assess balance ability, but, with age, individuals become unable to successfully perform the test. Our objective was to investigate the changes in performance on the BB test and motor fitness over time in elderly women. A total of 52 elderly women who were able to stand on both legs on a rocking unstable board for 20 s were enrolled. Subjects were classified into two groups according to their ability to perform the task 1 year later [able group (A); n = 35] or not [unable group (U); n = 17]. The results of our analysis indicated that the height of women in the U group had decreased over the 1-year period. At both time points, the women in the U group had worse one-leg standing and walking times than those in the A group. Our findings indicate that inferior motor fitness in the pre-stage and reduced height after 1 year are factors that contribute to the poor performance of elderly people on the BB test.