Table 3.
Primary outcomes - more active versus less active groups (Indirect measures of balance)
| Comparison or subgroup | No. of studies | N | Effect size (95% CI) | Heterogeneity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuromuscular measure of gait | ||||
| *1 Preferred walking speed (m/s). | 4 | 284 | 0.24 (−0.69, 1.17) | 91% |
| Preferred walking speed (m/s). | 2 | 194 | 0.66 (0.26, 1.06) | 20% |
| Neuromuscular measures of strength | ||||
| *2 Handgrip (Kg). ++ | 2 | 210 | 1.73 (−1.20, 4.66) | 23% |
| *3 Isometric knee extension. | 4 | 320 | 0.63 (0.40, 0.87) | 35% |
| 3.1 Isometric knee extension. | 3 | 292 | 0.64 (0.35, 0.94) | 25% |
| *4 Ultrasound. | 2 | 158 | 0.57 (0.25, 0.89) | 0% |
| Neuromuscular measures of functionality | ||||
| *5 Timed Up & Go. (s) Low value indicates better balance. | 4 | 286 | −0.76 (−1.01, −0.51) | 0% |
| 5.1 Timed Up & Go. (s) Low value indicates better balance. | 2 | 161 | −0.70 (−1.03, − 0.37) | 0% |
| *6 Single Leg Stance. (s) | 4 | 181 | −0.25 (−1.86, 1.37) | 95% |
| 6.1 Single Leg Stance. (s) | 2 | 110 | 1.17 (0.74, 1.60) | 0% |
| *7 Activities of Balance Confidence. | 4 | 220 | 1.33 (0.73, 1.94) | 74% |
| 7.1 Activities of Balance Confidence. | 3 | 155 | 1.47 (0.70, 2.25) | 70% |
| Neuromuscular measures of flexibility | ||||
| *8 Functional reach (forward) (m). | 4 | 304 | 1.18 (0.61, 1.75) | 74% |
| 8.1 Functional reach (forward) (m). | 2 | 193 | 0.80 (0.48, 1.11) | 0% |
| Sensory measures | ||||
| *9 Knee joint repositioning (degrees). | 2 | 58 | −1.37 (−2.29, −0.45) | 59% |
| Cognitive measures | ||||
| *10 Mini Mental State Exam. ++ | 4 | 229 | 0.37 (−0.35, 1.09) | 60% |
| *11 Reaction time (s). Low value indicates better balance. | 3 | 198 | −0.75 (−1.45, − 0.04) | 83% |
| 11.1 Reaction time (s). Low value indicates better balance. | 2 | 132 | −0.41(− 0.84, 0.01) | 33% |
Note: Data is shown for 11 variables. For some variables there are two sets of data, the first set of data identified with * includes all available data, whereas the second set of data excludes studies at high risk of bias
Analyses with <2 studies providing data are not shown (maximal walking speed, functional reach (back, left, right), and range of motion are excluded)
Higher value indicates better balance unless otherwise stated
++ Mean difference (95% CI) was calculated (MMSE and Handgrip test) and standardised mean (95% CI) calculated for all other measures.