Functional and balance assessment in older adults

Abstract

Introduction: The aging process is characterized by several processes of change, which lead to a decrease in physiological and functional capacities. Functional fitness in the elderly is of great importance for carrying out activities of daily living, allowing the detection of limitations that result from the aging process and thus preventing and reducing the various functional declines. Objective: To systematically review the existing scientific literature on what is the best way to assess functional fitness in the elderly. Method: Systematic review with search of all scientific articles, indexed in “PubMed”, since January 2010. Results: 323 articles were identified, of which only 8 were considered eligible for review. The studies analyzed showed some divergence in terms of the best way to assess functional capacity and balance. BESTest and the unstable board have been suggested as the best tests to measure balance. Conclusions: The assessment of balance is more adequately assessed by tests on a board and the fragility is better assessed by tests such as Timed Up and Go. The characteristics and individuality of the populations concerned must be the primary factor in determining which assessment to apply.