Common balance tests and their association with falls

Abstract Semi‑tandem, side‑by‑side, and full‑tandem balance tests are commonly used to evaluate balance performance. This study aimed to examine their associations with self-reported falls using nationally representative data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (wave 1), including up to 57,720 adults aged ≥ 45 years. Balance performance was assessed using the 10‑second semi‑tandem and side‑by‑side tests, as well as the 60‑second (≤ 70 years) and 30‑second (> 70 years) full‑tandem tests. In the crude model, gender‑stratified weighted logistic regression examined the cross-sectional association between falls and ability to maintain balance for the full duration (yes/no). The weighted multivariate model was adjusted for age, grip strength, body mass index, activities of daily living, dementia diagnosis, and physical activity. In the crude analyses, significant associations were observed between falls and semi‑tandem, side‑by‑side, and 60‑second full‑tandem test completion ability (Odds ratio [OR]: 0.418–0.771). In adjusted analyses, significant associations with falls were found for male and female side‑by‑side test (OR = 0.527–0.622) and 60‑second full‑tandem test (OR = 0.784–0.856), as well as female 30‑second full‑tandem test (OR = 0.833). In summary, the 10-second side-by-side test and the 60-second full-tandem test showed the most consistent association with self-reported falls within the subgroup in which they​ were​ administered.