Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: July-September | Volume: 6 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 291-297
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20210751
Relationship between Ankle Range of Motion (ROM), Muscle Strength, Balance, and Fall Risk in Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot Study
Haripriya Sa, Veena K. R. Bhagavanb, Naina Maharjanc
aAssociate Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Laxmi Memorial College of Physiotherapy,
Mangalore, India.
bAssistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AJ Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Mangalore, India.
cPost Graduate Student and Presenting Author, Laxmi Memorial College of Physiotherapy, Mangalore, India.
Corresponding Author: Naina Maharjan
ABSTRACT
Menopause is an age-dependent physiological condition associated with a natural decline in estrogen levels, which causes a progressive decrease in muscle mass and strength, and bone density. Estrogen deficiency occurring during menopause will affect both the gynecological area and the whole body which will directly act on skeletal muscle through estrogen receptors. Although various factors are associated with falls in menopausal women, impaired balance and mobility have been consistently identified as the main risk factors.
Identification of the factors associated with balance and fall risk may enable therapists to design treatments to help reduce the risk of falls and the consequences. Since the impact of impaired balance and fall risk among postmenopausal women is undefined. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between ankle range of motion and muscle strength with balance and fall risk in post-menopausal women. The ankle ROM and muscle strength were examined by using a universal goniometer and push-pull hand-held dynamometer respectively; the balance was assessed by Y balance test (YBT) and fall risk was measured by Fall Efficacy Scale International (FES-I). Karl Pearson correlation coefficient was used to find the relationship between ankle ROM, ankle strength, balance, and fall risk among postmenopausal women which showed a low positive correlation between the ankle ROM and YBT whereas a moderate positive correlation between the ankle strength and YBT which was statistically significant. The correlation between FES-I and ankle ROM and ankle strength were high and moderate respectively which was also statistically significant.
Keywords: Postmenopausal women, ankle range of motion, ankle strength, balance, fall risk, YBT