This paper presents data on the results of the assessment of postural balance in older women. The study was conducted using the computer-aided stabilometric complex Balance Manager with the participation of 186 women aged 60–74 years. At the time of the research, the subjects were mobile and did not use any additional support when walking. Based on the identified percentile intervals, the critical values of postural balance parameters that can be considered as indicators of the developing risk of falls were determined and recommendations for its prevention were devised. For citation: Shiryaeva T.P., Fedotov D.M., Gribanov A.V. Indicators of the Risk of Falls in Older Women. Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 2021, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 226–229. DOI: 10.37482/2687-1491-Z060

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Objective ― The goal of our study was to compare mobility vs. cognitive function and quality of life in middle-aged and older women, both fallers and non-fallers. Material and Methods ― A total of 246 healthy community-dwelling women 55-74 YO participated in this study. They were distributed among two subgroups: (1) fallers (n=95) and (2) non-fallers (n=151). Fallers had falls in the past 12 months, while non-fallers did not. Walking tests were performed using Balance Master® posturography system. Trait anxiety and state anxiety were assessed by Spielberger-Hanin test; health state and quality of life (QoL) were evaluated from SF-36 health survey questionnaire; subjectively experienced age (SEA) and the rate of aging were also estimated. Results ― In Walk Across test, the average speed was lower in fallers (p=0.020), as compared with non-fallers. In Tandem Walking test, step width (p=0.016) and endpoint sway velocity (p=0.029) were higher, while speed (p=0.030) was lower in fallers vs. non-fallers. Step-Quick-Turn test time (p=0.016) was longer and sway (p=0.011) was higher in fallers in the course of turning both to the left and to the right. SEA in female non-fallers was less (p=0.033) than in female fallers of the same age. Trait anxiety was higher in female fallers (p=0.012) with a lower QoL level (p<0.001). Conclusion ― Our results validated the need for early assessment of the postural control dynamic components in order to prevent the development of falls as a geriatric syndrome.

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Gait and balance disorders are common in older adults and represent a multifaceted problem resulting from a combination of natural involutional processes and various pathological conditions. However, to date, the dynamic component of postural balance in older adults remains poorly studied. In order to determine sex differences in the dynamic component of postural balance, 40 older men and 40 older women were tested (Sit-to-Stand, Walk Across, Tandem Walk, Step/Quick Turn, Step-Up-and- Over tests) using the computer-aided stabilometric complex Balance Master. The research found that in older women, the parameters of the dynamic component of postural balance are more intact than in men, probably due to a slower rate of ageing.