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Table 3 Primary outcomes - more active versus less active groups (Indirect measures of balance)

From: The association between balance and free-living physical activity in an older community-dwelling adult population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Comparison or subgroup

No. of studies

N

Effect size (95% CI)

Heterogeneity

Neuromuscular measure of gait

 *1 Preferred walking speed (m/s).

4

284

0.24 (−0.69, 1.17)

91%

 Preferred walking speed (m/s).

2

194

0.66 (0.26, 1.06)

20%

Neuromuscular measures of strength

 *2 Handgrip (Kg). ++

2

210

1.73 (−1.20, 4.66)

23%

 *3 Isometric knee extension.

4

320

0.63 (0.40, 0.87)

35%

 3.1 Isometric knee extension.

3

292

0.64 (0.35, 0.94)

25%

 *4 Ultrasound.

2

158

0.57 (0.25, 0.89)

0%

Neuromuscular measures of functionality

 *5 Timed Up & Go. (s) Low value indicates better balance.

4

286

−0.76 (−1.01, −0.51)

0%

 5.1 Timed Up & Go. (s) Low value indicates better balance.

2

161

−0.70 (−1.03, − 0.37)

0%

 *6 Single Leg Stance. (s)

4

181

−0.25 (−1.86, 1.37)

95%

 6.1 Single Leg Stance. (s)

2

110

1.17 (0.74, 1.60)

0%

 *7 Activities of Balance Confidence.

4

220

1.33 (0.73, 1.94)

74%

 7.1 Activities of Balance Confidence.

3

155

1.47 (0.70, 2.25)

70%

Neuromuscular measures of flexibility

 *8 Functional reach (forward) (m).

4

304

1.18 (0.61, 1.75)

74%

 8.1 Functional reach (forward) (m).

2

193

0.80 (0.48, 1.11)

0%

Sensory measures

 *9 Knee joint repositioning (degrees).

2

58

−1.37 (−2.29, −0.45)

59%

Cognitive measures

 *10 Mini Mental State Exam. ++

4

229

0.37 (−0.35, 1.09)

60%

 *11 Reaction time (s). Low value indicates better balance.

3

198

−0.75 (−1.45, − 0.04)

83%

 11.1 Reaction time (s). Low value indicates better balance.

2

132

−0.41(− 0.84, 0.01)

33%

  1. Note: Data is shown for 11 variables. For some variables there are two sets of data, the first set of data identified with * includes all available data, whereas the second set of data excludes studies at high risk of bias
  2. Analyses with <2 studies providing data are not shown (maximal walking speed, functional reach (back, left, right), and range of motion are excluded)
  3. Higher value indicates better balance unless otherwise stated
  4. ++ Mean difference (95% CI) was calculated (MMSE and Handgrip test) and standardised mean (95% CI) calculated for all other measures.