Physical activity and postural balance in rural community dwelling older adults.

This was a convenience sample from three sites, so the results may not apply to other rural or urban older adults. Exclusion criteria removed people using canes or mobility devices, in long-term care, homebound, cognitively impaired, or with uncorrected vision, so the sample was healthier and more active than many patients with fall risk. The Timed Up and Go was not completed at one site and only 53 participants had those scores, limiting that outcome. Self-reported physical activity survey may be affected by recall bias. Accelerometers may miss swimming, water aerobics, cycling, and upper-body activity; four participants reported swimming or water aerobics and seven reported cycling. Seven-day accelerometer wear in late spring and early summer may not reflect other seasons. Participants knew they were being measured, which may have changed activity. The design is cross-sectional, so it cannot show that physical activity caused better balance.

The supplied metadata lists NIH extramural and non-U.S. government research support; the article text does not give an author conflict-of-interest declaration.

Do not conclude that increasing physical activity will improve balance in rural older adults. This was a cross-sectional study, and physical activity minutes were not significant predictors after age, sex, and body mass index.