| The purpose of this investigation was to determine the differences between gender, physical activity level (pedometer determined ambulatory activity from steps per day), and dynamic balance variables in an older adult population. A secondary purpose was to examine the relationship between pedometer-determined ambulatory activity (steps/day) and dynamic balance variables. It was hypothesized that males will have greater amounts of ambulatory activity and dynamic balance than females. It was also hypothesized that participants with a higher amount of ambulatory activity will have better dynamic balance than those with a low amount of ambulatory activity.;Forty-six older adults aged 73.7 +/- 6.2 years participated in the study. Participants completed a dynamic balance assessment using the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) Scale and completed a two week daily step recording to determine average steps taken per day using a pedometer.;Low level activity participants (≤ 5,000 steps/day) were significantly different from the high level activity participants (>7,500 step/day) in weight, age, and the number of medications reported. Males performed better than females on the two-footed jump test and reactive postural test FAB assessments. Low level activity participants performed significantly worse than the high level activity participants on all FAB assessments except FAB 1 (stand with feet together and eyes closed), FAB 2 (reach forward to object), and FAB 9 (walk with head turns). |
