This is a comparative study on the effect of obesity on static and dynamic balance in middle-aged and elderly women. The sample was composed by 80 women over 50 years old, distributed according to the body mass index into a non-obese group (n=45) and an obese group (n=35), with similar mean age. Participants were assessed as to body fat by bioimpedance and submitted to the one leg stance (OLS) and maximum walking speed (MWS) tests. Data were statistically analysed. At the OLS on both feet the non-obese group remained longer in position - 25.6 seconds (s) on the right limb and 24,9 s on the left one - than the obese group (19.0 s on the right, 17.5 s on the left limb, p<0.01). At he MWS test the obese group showed slower walking and lower mean speed than the non-obese group (p<0,027). Within non-obese group results, moderate correlations were found between body fat and static and dynamic balance; in the obese group practically no corresponding correlations were found. Results show that obesity contributes to worse balance performance in middle-age and elderly women.
Aging; Obesity; Postural balance; Women
