Low balance confidence in relation to strength training, walking, sitting, and physical function among women aged 75–105 years: a cross-sectional study within the Women’s Health Initiative Strong and Healthy (WHISH) Intervention Cohort
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury death among older women in the United States. We examined associations of low balance confidence, defined as an Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale score < 67%, with strength training, walking, sitting time, and physical function (PF) among women aged ≥ 75 years in the Women’s Health Initiative Strong and Healthy ( WHISH ) trial. We analyzed cross-sectional data from 8,916 women aged 75–105 years assigned to the WHISH physical activity intervention. Participants self-reported their weekly participation in strength training, walking, daily sitting time, and PF. Balance confidence was measured using the ABC scale. Low balance confidence was defined as an ABC score < 67% and examined in the total cohort and separately among women aged 75–84 and ≥ 85 years. Cross-sectional associations with strength training, walking, sitting time, and PF were estimated using analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-squared tests, and modified Poisson regression with robust variance. Regression models estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and were adjusted for age, education, body mass index (BMI), and race/ethnicity. Mean age was 84.9 years, with 47.3% of participants aged ≥ 85 years. The prevalence of low balance confidence was 35.1% overall, 23.9% among women aged 75–84 years, and 47.6% among women aged ≥ 85 years. Strength training ≥ 2 h per week was associated with a 24% lower prevalence of low balance confidence (PR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.71–0.81); walking ≥ 4.25 h/week with a 59% lower prevalence of low balance confidence (PR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.37–0.45); while sitting ≥ 8 h/day was associated with a 24% higher prevalence of low balance confidence (PR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.17–1.32). High PF (score ≥ 90) was associated with an 88% lower prevalence of low balance confidence (PR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.10–0.14; p < 0.0001). More strength training and walking, lower sitting time, and higher PF were strongly associated with lower prevalence of low balance confidence among women aged ≥ 75 years. Although these associations were more pronounced among women aged 75–84 years, they were also observed for women aged ≥ 85 years. Longitudinal studies are needed to establish temporality.
Source: BMC Geriatrics
Language: English
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W7222982306
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