• Joanna M Blodgett, Rebecca Hardy, Daniel Davis, Geeske Peeters, Diana Kuh, and Rachel Cooper.
• Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom; MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: joanna.blodgett@ucl.ac.uk.
• Am J Prev Med. 2022 Dec 1; 63 (6): 9971006997-1006.

IntroductionThe one-legged balance test is widely used as a fall risk screening tool in both clinical and research settings. Despite rising fall prevalence in midlife, there is little evidence examining balance and fall risk in those aged <65 years. This study investigated the longitudinal associations between one-legged balance and the number of falls between ages 53 and 68 years.MethodsThe study included 2,046 individuals from the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health & Development, a British birth cohort study. One-legged balance times (eyes open, maximum: 30 seconds) were assessed at ages 53 years (1999) and 60-64 years (2006-2010). Fall history within the last year (none, 1, ≥2) was self-reported at ages 60-64 years and 68 years (2014). Multinomial logistic regressions assessed the associations between balance and change in balance with subsequent falls. Models adjusted for anthropometric, socioeconomic, behavioral, health status, and cognitive indicators. Analysis occurred between 2019 and 2022.ResultsBalance performance was not associated with single falls. Better balance performance at age 53 years was associated with decreased risk of recurrent falls at ages 60-64 years and 68 years, with similar associations between balance at age 60-64 years and recurrent falls at age 68 years. Those with consistently lower balance times (<15 seconds) were at greater risk (RRR=3.33, 95% CI=1.91, 5.80) of recurrent falls at age 68 years in adjusted models than those who could balance for 30 seconds at ages 53 years and 60-64 years.ConclusionsLower balance and consistently low or declining performance were associated with a greater subsequent risk of recurrent falls. Earlier identification and intervention of those with poor balance ability can help to minimize the risk of recurrent falls in aging adults.Copyright © 2022 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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