The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is high among older adults worldwide, significantly affecting their quality of life and overall health. Understanding the prevalence of MSDs and their associated factors is crucial to developing effective preventive and management strategies in Thailand. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of MSDs and their associated factors among older patients at Walailak University Physical Therapy Clinic. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the medical records of 396 older patients. Data on demographics, underlying diseases, career types, and treatments were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics chi-squared tests, and logistic regression analysis to determine their associations with MSD prevalence. The overall prevalence of MSDs was 89.90%. MSD prevalence was higher among female patients than among male patients (p < 0.001). The most commonly affected body regions were the lower back, shoulders, and knees. Career type (p < 0.001) had the highest impact on the presence of MSDs after controlling for sex, age, and underlying diseases as covariates in a logistic regression model. Manual labor and heavy industry workers as well as pensioners showed an increased risk of MSDs. While older age was associated with a higher MSD prevalence using chi-squared statistics, it was removed from the logistic regression models. Pensioners were the most likely to receive treatment, indicating the need for targeted interventions for individuals with physically demanding occupations. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions and further research on socioeconomic factors, lifestyle behaviors, and comorbidities to manage MSDs among older adults in Thailand.

Locomotive syndrome (LS) predisposes older adults to falls and functional dependency. In older adults with LS, the validity of the Lower Quarter Y Balance Test (YBT-LQ)—a dynamic balance assessment tool—remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the convergent validity of the YBT-LQ with the Two-Step and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests and compare YBT-LQ performance between individuals with and without LS. Sixty Thai community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years) were equally divided into LS and non-LS groups and performed the YBT-LQ, Two-Step test, and TUG test. Correlation analyses and independent t-tests assessed relationships and between-group comparisons, respectively. The YBT-LQ exhibited moderate positive correlations with the Two-Step test (r = 0.366, p = 0.004) and moderate negative correlations with the TUG test (r = −0.412, p = 0.001). The LS group exhibited significantly lower YBT-LQ scores across all reach directions than the non-LS group (p < 0.05), highlighting impaired balance in individuals with LS. The YBT-LQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing dynamic balance and postural control, as well as identifying multidirectional stability deficits in older adults, particularly those with LS. Implementing the YBT-LQ in routine geriatric evaluations could enhance early detection and targeted interventions to reduce fall risk and improve mobility in aging populations.

This cross-sectional study included 112 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 60 years residing in Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand, recruited using a community-based quota sampling approach. Locomotive syndrome (LS) was assessed using the two-step test and classified according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association criteria. Physical activity was evaluated using the Thai version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire across work-related, transportation-related, and recreational domains. Frailty and cognitive status were assessed using the Thai version of the FRAIL questionnaire and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations. The prevalence of LS was 74.1%, with 37.5%, 33.0%, and 3.6% in participants classified as having LS stages 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Transportation-related physical activity was significantly associated with lower odds of LS. Frailty and mild cognitive impairment frequently coexisted with LS but were not independently associated with LS after adjustment for age and sex. Transportation-related physical activity emerged as a key protective factor, highlighting the importance of habitual mobility in daily life. Our findings suggest that LS overlaps with, but is not identical to, frailty and cognitive decline in relatively robust community settings. Early screening and mobility-related physical activity may be crucial in preventing functional decline in rapidly aging societies.