USE OF AN OBSTACLE COURSE TO ASSESS BALANCE AND MOBILITY IN THE ELDERLY - A VALIDATION-STUDY

An obstacle course, consisting of a series of 12 simulated functional tasks, has been developed to aid in the evaluation of rehabilitation i nterventions for elderly individuals with balance and mobility dysfunc tion. The validity of the obstacle course as a measure of balance and functional mobility was tested by comparing obstacle course performanc e scores of a sample of 237 community-dwelling veterans, aged 67 to 93 yr, with clinical indicators of balance and mobility including age, h istory of falls, symptoms of balance dysfunction, medication use, orth ostatic blood pressure changes, neurologic examination abnormalities, muscle strength, joint range of motion, sell-reported activity level, and functional status. Significant correlations were found between obs tacle course scores and all clinical indicators except blood pressure changes and age. Multiple regression analysis of selected variables sh owed that activity level and neurologic abnormalities best determined both qualitative and quantitative obstacle course performance. Non-fal lers performed significantly better on the obstacle course than faller s. These results suggest that the obstacle course is valid and has pot ential as a useful tool in the evaluation of older persons with balanc e and mobility impairment.