Fear of Falling and Its Association with Lower Limb Strength and Balance Control in Elderly Day-Care Center Users

This cross-sectional study examined associations between lower limb strength, mobility, balance control, and fear of falling (FOF) among older adults attending community-based day-care centers. Seventy-three participants aged ≥65 years underwent assessments of knee extension strength (KES), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Functional Reach Test (FRT), and the Korean Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Pearson correlation and simple linear regression analyses were performed. KES was negatively correlated with FES-I (r = −0.421, p < 0.01), TUG was positively correlated with FES-I (r = 0.394, p < 0.01), and FRT was negatively correlated with FES-I (r = −0.361, p < 0.01). Separate simple linear regression analyses likewise showed significant unadjusted associations of FES-I with KES, TUG, and FRT (all p < 0.01). These findings indicate that lower limb strength, mobility, and balance control are significantly associated with FOF. The results support the potential relevance of jointly assessing strength, mobility, balance control, and FOF in older adults attending day-care centers.