Journal of Physical Therapy Science
Online ISSN : 2187-5626
Print ISSN : 0915-5287
ISSN-L : 0915-5287
Original Article
Change in static standing balance ability of community-residing elderly females after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
Yuji Maruyama
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Keywords: Young-old, Old-old, COVID-19
JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2022 Volume 34 Issue 3 Pages 183-186

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Abstract

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the changes in the balance ability of community-residing elderly females between 2017 and 2020. [Participants and Methods] The participants included 202 females with ≥65 years of age (average age, 78.3 ± 5.88 years), living independently in the community and attending the salon. The balance ability was measured through a one-legged standing test by keeping the participants’ eyes open. The measurement duration was a maximum of 120 s while standing still. Each participant underwent the measurement twice, and the best attempt was recorded. The survey period was from 2017 to 2020, and the measurements were conducted once a year. [Results] The 2020 records showed a statistically significant difference compared to those of the other 3 years. The degree of decline was higher in the old-old than that in the young-old. [Conclusion] The balance ability of the elderly females was found to reduce significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, supporting physical activities in the old-old females is necessary to improve their balance ability.

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© 2022 by the Society of Physical Therapy Science. Published by IPEC Inc.

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons [Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International] license.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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