This study aimed to examine the validity of balance tests and compare their diagnostic accuracy to determine the risk of falls among older community-dwelling individuals. Eighty-five older participants were assessed based on their demographics and fall data. They were then assessed for the ability to perform balance measures, including five times sit-to-stand tests (FTSSTs), timed up and go tests (TUGs), three times stand and walk tests (TTSWs), functional reach tests (FRTs), and single-leg stance tests (SLSs). The correlation between fall data and balance measures was found to be significant for all parameters (p < 0.05). The TTSW showed the highest level of ability to indicate the risk of falls among older community-dwelling adults with sensitivity = 92.68%, specificity = 84.09%, and AUC = 0.931 (95%CI = 0.860 to 1.000). These findings confirm the benefits of the practical functional balance measures to determine the risk of falls among older community-dwelling individuals.

Objectives This study developed and investigated the possibility of using the walking and turning test (WTT) to indicate fall risk in community-dwelling older adults. Design Retrospective diagnostic study. Setting The study was carried out in a community setting. Participants The study focused on community-dwelling older Thai adults. Primary and secondary outcome measures The participants were assessed based on demographics, fear of falls using a ‘yes/no’ question and the Short Falls Efficacy Scale International, as well as fall data in the previous 6 months. The participants then performed the WTT, timed up and go test, five times sit-to-stand test and handgrip strength test (HG) in random order. Results There were a total of 86 participants with an average age of 69.95±6.10 years (range from 60 to 88 years), most of whom were female (67.44%). 40 participants (46.51%) reported that they had fallen at least once in the previous 6 months. A comparison of various physical ability tests revealed significant differences between faller and non-faller participants (p<0.001). The outcomes of the WTT showed significant correlations with fall variables, balance and muscle strength (0.394 to 0.853, p<0.001). Based on sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve, the cut-off score of 6.40 s showed the highest level of ability to indicate falls among community-dwelling older adults, with a sensitivity of 92.50% and a specificity of 78.26%. Conclusions The study suggests the clinical usefulness of the WTT in determining falls in older individuals. WTT is a physical ability measurement that indicates balance ability and muscle strength. The test is practical, requires little space and equipment and can be used in large populations.

Background and Objectives: The Walking and Turning Test (WTT) combines rapid walking and turning. We examined its association with sit-to-stand (STS)-derived relative power and compared discrimination with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Materials and Methods: Ninety-one independently ambulatory community-dwelling older adults (65.9% women; aged ≥60 years) completed WTT, TUG, and the Five-Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSTS). Relative STS power was estimated from the fastest FTSTS trial and anthropometry. Spearman correlations and multivariable linear regression assessed associations; exploratory receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis used published non-Thai sex-specific reference thresholds. Results: WTT time correlated with relative STS power (ρ = −0.850, p < 0.001) and FTSTS time (ρ = 0.894, p < 0.001). WTT remained associated with STS-derived relative power after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and TUG (standardized β = −0.716, p < 0.001; model R² = 0.626). Thirty participants (33.0%) met the reference-based low-power classification. WTT discrimination was higher than TUG (AUC 0.917 vs. 0.754; DeLong p < 0.001). At a sample-derived cutoff of ≥7.53 s, sensitivity was 96.7% and specificity was 82.0%. Conclusions: WTT was associated with equation-derived relative STS power, potentially reflecting shared FTSTS performance rather than power-specific physiology. The preliminary cutoff requires external validation.