Body balance evaluation in osteoporotic elderly women

SUMMARY: Osteoporotic Brazilian women balance was evaluated by timed up and go test (TUG) and to the Berg balance scale (BBS). In the BBS, women with and without osteoporosis had normal range scores, even with history of fall. In the TUG test, women with osteoporosis were slower, but in the normal parameter. Results suggest that the references values of these tests are not appropriate for Brazilians. PURPOSES: The purposes of this study were to evaluate balance and functional mobility in women with osteoporosis and without osteoporosis and to verify if the history of falls has association to the TUG and to the BBS, both largely used in the clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five women were divided into three groups: group 1, young women with normal body mineral density (BMD); group 2, elderly with normal BMD; and group 3, elderly with osteoporosis. BBS and TUG were performed, and the history of falls was collected. RESULTS: BBS and TUG showed differences in the scores obtained for young women compared with both elderly with and without osteoporosis. In the TUG test, there were differences between elderly with and without osteoporosis. The fall's history did not present correlations either for TUG or BBS. CONCLUSIONS: Although the results showed that all women were within the normal range for BBS and TUG, the results suggest that the reference values for TUG and BBS are not appropriate for Brazilian population.