Assessment and Intervention of Gait, Strength and Balance

What?

Assessment of gait, strength, and balance identifies mobility impairments that may increase an older adult’s risk of falling. It helps determine the need for exercise, rehabilitation, or other interventions to address impairments of gait, strength, or balance.

Why?

Difficulty walking safely, maintaining balance, or generating adequate lower extremity strength during daily activities can significantly increase the likelihood of falls. Unlike some fall risk factors, gait, strength, and balance deficits are often modifiable through targeted exercise and rehabilitation interventions.

How?

Gait, strength, and balance can be assessed using standardized performance-based measures that allow for comparison with evidence-based normative values and cutoff scores to identify impairments and determine fall risk. Older adults who demonstrate these impairments may benefit from referral to a physical therapist for a comprehensive evaluation and individualized, appropriately dosed exercise prescription. Even those without significant impairments may benefit from referral to community-based exercise programs to maintain strength, balance, and mobility over time. Consistent engagement in exercise can also provide additional benefits for overall health, chronic disease management, mood, and quality of life.