Agility Test and Hip Flexor Rate of Force Development Discriminate Stepping Strategies During Balance Recovery in Community-Dwelling Older Women

Aims To ascertain whether hip flexor explosive strength, agility, and functional mobility tests can discriminate between multiple-step (MS) and single-step (SS) fall avoidance strategies.Methods Thirty-six community-dwelling older women (79.6 ± 5.9 years) were evaluated using a tether-release method to induce forward balance recovery and were classified into MS (n = 17) and SS (n = 19) groups. Hip flexor isometric maximum strength, peak normalized rate of force development (NRFD), time-to-peak RFD, five-times sit-to-stand (FSST), two-square agility test, ten-step test (TST), 20-s open-close stepping, and walking speed were assessed. Discriminant analysis was performed to identify the factors differentiating the MS and SS groups.Results The MS group showed lower NRFD, slower time-to-peak RFD, and worse performance in the FSST and TST. A model combining NRFD and TST achieved a 91.6% discrimination rate.Conclusion Hip flexor explosive strength and agility, particularly rapid alternate foot placement, may help distinguish fall avoidance strategies in older women.