Abstract
Medio-lateral postural instability and hip abductor muscle weakness have been implicated as a predominant factor to poor balance which been identified as a high risk factor for falls in the elderly community-dwelling population. The hip abductor muscles are largely responsible for maintaining medial-lateral stability in the gait cycle, and the lateral reach test challenges stability limits in the medio-lateral direction. This study evaluated relationships between the lateral reach test and hip abduction strength. Lateral reach excursion was measured using a 100 centimeter measuring tape. For hip abduction strength, a digital hand-held dynamometer was used. All participants in the research project were retired community-dwelling seniors. Eight men and twenty community dwelling women were measured to obtain data to evaluate the relationship between these two variables as expressed by the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. This study found no statistically significant relationships between the left and right lateral reach test and hip abduction strength scores (r=.20 1 p>.05 and .184 p>.05). No relationships were found between age, gender, and these two variables. Outcomes were different from the initial hypothesis secondary to small sample size, real differences in measurements, or other factors related to sample makeup. Also age ranges were not as broad as anticipated. Future studies are needed with larger sample sizes and different populations.