Associations of lower-limb muscle strength performance with static and dynamic balance control among older adults in Taiwan

Background Aging is an inevitable process of life development. These physical changes can cause a decline in the functional adaptability and health status of older adult individuals. Aims The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of lower-limb muscle strength performance with static and dynamic balance control among older adults in Taiwan. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study and reviewed data derived from the National Physical Fitness Survey in Taiwan 2015–2016. A total of 20,846 Taiwanese older adult individuals aged 65 years old or older were recruited as study participants. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric assessments, lifestyle habits, and health-related physical fitness measurements from this dataset were analyzed using the chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance, and linear regression analysis. Lower-limb muscle strength performance was classified into 4 groups based on quartile (Quartile 1 Q1, Quartile 2 Q2, Quartile 3 Q3, and Quartile 4 Q4) values. Results Increased lower-limb muscle strength levels were significantly associated with static balance in men (Q2: β = 2.539, p 0.0001; Q3: β = 4.590, p 0.0001; Q4: β = 7.700, p 0.0001) and women (Q2: β = 2.022, p 0.0001; Q3: β = 4.179, p 0.0001; Q4: β = 6.920, p 0.0001) after adjusting for potential confounders. In addition, we observed that increased lower-limb muscle strength levels were significantly associated with dynamic balance in men (Q2: β = −1.661, p 0.0001; Q3: β = −2.434, p 0.0001; Q4: β = −3.091, p 0.0001) and women (Q2: β = −1.660, p 0.0001; Q3: β = −2.548, p 0.0001; Q4: β = −3.196, p 0.0001) after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusion Lower-limb muscle strength was the most important factor, as it was an improved method for static and dynamic balance control in both genders.