PNF and Movement 2024; 22(3): 325-333
https://doi.org/10.21598/JKPNFA.2024.22.3.325
The Evaluation of Balance Ability in Older Adults in Korea Using a Postural Analysis System and Correlation with the 6-Minute Walk Test
Tae-Sung Park, P.T., Ph.D.1,2⋅Jong-Ho Kang, P.T., Ph.D.3⋅ Sang-Hun Kim, M.D., Ph.D.2,4⋅Myung-Jun Shin, M.D., Ph.D.1,2,4†
1Department of Convergence Medical Institute of Technology, Pusan National University Hospital
2Department of Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital
3Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan
4Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Pusan National University Hospital and Pusan National University School of Medicine
Correspondence to: †Myung-Jun Shin (drshinmj@gmail.com)
Received: August 16, 2024; Revised: September 29, 2024; Accepted: September 30, 2024; Published online: December 31, 2024.
© Korea Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Association. All rights reserved.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate balance ability in older adults in Korea using digital equipment and to analyze its correlation with the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and muscle mass to provide foundational data for fall prevention, walking ability enhancement, and understanding the relationship with muscle mass.
Methods: A total of 120 healthy community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older participated in the study. Muscle mass was measured using a body composition analyzer, and balance ability was assessed using an FRA510S system. We conducted a 6MWT to determine the total distance walked and used Pearson correlation analysis to examine the relationships between balance ability, the 6MWT, and muscle mass.
Results: Significant negative correlations were found between 6MWT distance and certain balance conditions in both male and female participants. However, no significant correlations were observed between muscle mass and balance ability, except for a notable correlation between skeletal muscle mass index and balance in women.
Conclusion: The study revealed gender-specific differences in the relationship between balance ability, walking ability, and muscle mass in older adults. These findings support the development of personalized approaches for improving balance and preventing falls, with digital equipment playing a key role in accurate assessment and prediction.
Keywords: Balance ability, 6-minute walk test, Muscle mass, Older adults

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