RESUMO
Objective To study the effect of lower limb muscle strength on balance.Methods One hun- dred eighty elderly subjects were divided into six groups by sex and muscle strength level.There were low,moderate and high muscle strength groups for males and females.The static standing balance of these subjects was performed u- sing a PH-A computerized stabilometer with their eyes open and closed.Sway index,covered area,rectangle-area, length and length/area of the destabilizing locui were assessed.Results When standing with the eyes either open or closed,sagittal and lateral sway index,covered area and rectangle-area were significantly larger in the lowest mus- cle strength groups when compared with the others.Length/area was also significantly less.There was no significant difference between the moderate muscle strength group and the highest strength group.Conclusion Lower limb strength affects balance.