Article

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between balance
confidence and community-based physical activity. Twenty-two community-dwelling
patients with right or left unilateral transtibial amputation who reported no
falls in the past 6 mo completed the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale
(ABC) and wore a StepWatch Activity Monitor for 7 consecutive d in the community.
Subjects were subsequently stratified as low ( <3,000 steps/d) or high (>/=3,000)
steps/d) activity groups. Balance confidence was significantly lower among the
low activity weekday group (LAG, 70.8 +/- 12.0 versus 88.9 +/- 8.7, t(20) = 3.97,
p = 0.001). Further, correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between
ABC score and step total (r = 0.55, p < 0.01). It is unknown whether the LAG
limited ambulation as an intentional strategy of fall-risk avoidance. Although
clinicians routinely inquire about falls in the community among patients with
lower-limb amputation, the results of this study emphasize the importance of
contextualizing recent fall history relative to activity level. Clinicians can
use this contextual information when considering the inclusion of appropriate
fall-risk mediation strategies relative to activity levels and counseling
patients of the benefits of physical exercise for maintaining functional capacity
and general health.

Langue : ANGLAIS