CLINICAL BALANCE PERFORMANCE REFLECTS HIP ABDUCTION STRENGTH IN OLDER ADULTS. James W. Bellew*; Paula Click-Fenter; Rebecca Moore; Bryan Chelette; Daniel Loreno Physical Therapy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA PURPOSE: To examine the degree to which performance on clinical balance tests predicts hip abduction strength in healthy older adults. BACKGROUNDS/SIGNIFICANCE: Age-related declines in strength, particularly in the proximal muscles of the lower extremity, have been associated with decreased control of balance. SUBJECTS: Twenty-seven men and women 55-89 years (72.3±8.2), healthy and without a history of falling, participated in data collection. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Isometric hip abduction strength was recorded using a commercial dynamometer. Three clinical tests of balance included; 1) single-limb-stance-time-test (SLSTT), recorded as the amount of time (seconds) a subject could remain standing on the dominant limb within an 18"x20" area, 2) the Lower Extremity Reach Test (LERT), a dynamic test of balance examining the linear distance (inches) the non-dominant leg can be extended away from the body while maintaining balance on the dominant limb, and 3) Functional Reach Test (inches), assessed in the forward and lateral directions yielding functional reach forward (FRF), right (FRR), and left (FRL). Testing order was randomized and completed in a single session. ANALYSES: Multiple regression (Enter Method) was used to determine the degree to which balance performance reflects hip abduction strength. Significance of each predictor variable was examined using standardized beta coefficients. RESULTS: The overall regression model was significant (F=12.50, p<.001) explaining 75% of the variability in hip abduction strength. Examination of the predictor variables showed that only FRR, LERT, and SLSTT were significant (p=.009-.038). CONCLUSIONS: Performance on clinical tests of balance positively reflects hip abduction strength in healthy older adults. FUNDING SOURCE: None KEYWORDS: hip abduction, strength, balance, aging Copyright 2009 by the American Physical Therapy Association. Requests for reprints should be directed to the corresponding author of the article. Educators, students, and other academic customers may receive permission to reprint copyrighted material from Physical Therapy (ISSN 1538-6724) by contacting the Copyright Clearance Center Inc, 222 Rosewood Dr, Danvers, MA 01923. Other types of customers who want permission to reprint should contact the APTA Editorial Office, Attn: Physical Therapy.