Relationship between Step Ability Using the Tether-release Method and Falls in Community-dwelling Elderly

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between step ability using the Tether-release method and falls in the past year in the community-dwelling elderly. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were divided into two groups based on whether or not they had fallen in the past year: a fall group (n=8), and a non-fall group (n=28). The step ability was measured as the maximum body leaning weight ratio. [Results] A significant difference in the maximum body leaning weight ratio was observed between the fall and non-fall groups (p=0.038). Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between falls and the maximum body leaning weight ratio (odds ratio: 0.840; 95% confidence interval: 0.711–0.992). [Conclusion] The results suggest that there may be a relationship between the step ability measured by the Tether-release method and falls among the community-dwelling elderly.