Agility and Balance Differ Between Older Community and Retirement Facility Residents

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether agility and static balance differ between older adults living in the community (n = 169) and those living in retirement facilities (n = 172). Participants underwent tests of agility (timed Up & Go, tandem gait, reaction time, and lateral stepping velocity) and static balance (body sway, eyes open and closed while standing normally; body sway, eyes open while standing semitandem). A MANCOVA revealed that older adults living in retirement facilities demonstrated 20% to 21% slower values of tandem gait, reaction time, and lateral stepping velocity than community-dwelling residents (p