Sex Differences in the Relationship of Muscle Strength, Proprioception, and Postural Stability in Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our study was to investigate the relationships among muscle strength, proprioception, and postural stability, as well as sex differences in these relationships.

METHODS

A total of 189 older participants were recruited from local communities, and muscle strength, proprioception, the Berg Balance Scale, and the Timed Up and Go test were measured. Structural equation modeling was performed to examine the interrelationship between proprioception, muscle strength, and stability, with multiple-group analysis used to explore the sex difference.

RESULTS

Compared with males, females exhibited lower levels of muscle strength, proprioception, and Berg Balance Scale (p < .05). Proprioception was negatively associated with stability, with a standard path coefficient (βr) of -0.219 (p = .009), and muscle strength was positively associated with stability (βr = 0.635, p < .001). Muscle strength showed a positive correlation with stability in both males (βr = 0.660, p < .001) and females (βr = 0.796, p < .001). Proprioception had a negative impact on stability only in males (βr = -0.270, p = .006). The association between muscle strength and stability was stronger in females than in males (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Both strength and proprioception affect stability. Proprioception negatively affects stability only in males, and the contribution of strength to stability is greater for older females than for older males.