ABSTRACT
Objective To characterize the static balance and limits of stability (LOS) of postmenopausal women and evaluate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and balance.Methods Sixty women more than 12 months past menopause and aged 50 to 60 years were included in the study.Group 1 (n =20) consisted of women with normal BMD,group 2 (n =20) women with osteopenia,and group 3 (n =20) women with osteoporosis.The static balance of all the participants was evaluated in upright postural situations for 60 s with the eyes open and with the eyes elosed.Their LOS was quantified using a force platform.Results There was no significant difference in static balance parameters or LOS among the 3 groups.The static balance parameters were not significantly different in either the eyes-open or eyes-closed situation in the osteoporosis and osteopenia groups.The medial and lateral LOS were greater than the anterior and posterior limits in all 3 groups.The anterior LOS was greater than the posterior limits among the women with osteopenia and normal density.Conclusion In postmenopausal women aged 50 to 60 years,BMD did not show any significant association with static balance or LOS.Postmenopausal women had better postural control in the mediolateral than in the anteroposterior direction.In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis,postural control in the anterior direction deteriorates from age 50 to 60.