The relation of balance performance and balance confidence with physical activity in elderly fallers and non-fallers

Balance is an important issue in aging research since it is undoubtedly linked with motor performance affecting, thus, activities of daily living and consecutively the quality of life in the elderly. Maintenance of good balance ability reduces the chance of a fall which, especially in the elderly, is not only an important predictor of mortality but also a major problem with important negative health and socio-economic consequences. The fear of falling, on the other hand, results in restrictions of physical activity, functional ability, and consequently may lead to reduced quality of life and adverse health consequences. Another psychological variable linked to the fear of falling is balance confidence or falls self-efficacy, which refers to personal beliefs in one's ability to engage in certain activities of daily living without falling or losing balance. Increased balance confidence, which is determined to a great extent by balance performance, is associated with lower fear of falling and better functional ability.