The Relationships between Left-right Balance in Standing Posture, Physical Strength, and The Degree of Locomotion

<p>The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationships between left-right balance in standing posture, physical strength, and the degree of locomotion so postural center of gravity measurement equipment can be used for self-management and health education of workers.</p><p>Examinations included a locomotive syndrome check-up and assessments using postural center of gravity measurement equipment. The locomotive syndrome check-up consisted of an interview, a physical fitness test, and a locomotive syndrome risk test. The physical fitness assessment included the Sit and Reach test, Sit-up test, Timed Up-and-Go test, and one-leg balance test with eyes open. Using the postural center of gravity measurement equipment, the left-right balance in a standing posture and the time participants could balance on one leg with eyes closed was measured.</p><p>The participants included 78 workers (54 men, 24 women) with an average age of 46.3±9.4 years (mean±standard deviation). Twenty-three (29.5%) of the participants had pain in the knees, lower back, hip joints, and in muscles and joints of other areas.</p><p>Six people (7.7%) had fallen within the previous year. Regarding the degree of locomotion, 6 (7.7%) participants were assessed as “locomo degree 1”, 1 (1.3%) as “locomo degree 2”, and 71 (91.0%) as “not applicable”.</p><p>For physical fitness, slightly inferior results compared to the standard value for physical fitness in normal adults were observed for 38 (48.6%) participants in the Sit and Reach test, 28 (37.9%) in the Sit-up test, and 8 (10.2%) in the Timed Up-and-Go test. Everyone met or exceeded the standard duration in the one-leg balance test with eyes open. In the locomotive syndrome check-up, the difference between left-right balance was large in those over the age of 50, at 8.1±5.4%, and those with experiences of falling, at 8.6±8.2%. In addition, in workers that reported no pain, no experiences of falling, and that were assessed as not applicable regarding the degree of locomotion, the difference in left-right balance was large compared with the other workers. The left-right balance exhibited a positive correlation with the Sit and Reach test (r＝0.037), but a negative correlation with the one-leg balance test with eyes closed (r＝－0.104), Sit-up test (r＝－0.051), one-leg balance test with eyes open (r＝－0.015), and Timed Up-and-Go test (r＝－0.127).</p><p>The flexibility and muscle endurance of workers in their late 20s and early 60s in the present study were reduced compared to the standard value of physical strength for people in these age groups. There were no significant relationships between left-right balance, physical strength, and the degree of locomotion for both feet in a standing posture when measured with the postural center of gravity measurement equipment. However, characteristics of people with a large difference in left-right balance included being over 50 years old and having fallen previously. In addition, while not specifically locomotive syndrome, some participants reported having no pain in the knees, lower back, hip joints, and in muscles and joints of other areas, but they had a large difference in left-right balance despite having adequate mobility. Even at a young age, it is suggested that the risk of falling in the future is high for those with a large difference in left-right balance.</p><p>Balance, muscle endurance, and flexibility are necessary to maintain a stable posture, which, in addition to physical strength, is important for the prevention of future falls and locomotive syndrome. From a young age, health education is needed to create opportunities to learn about correct posture, and to instill greater awareness of posture and left-right balance when standing in everyday life.</p>