Proprioception: The strongest predictor to falls in older females – A cross-sectional study.

This article focuses on the contribution of sensorimotor functions—specifically vibration sense, ankle proprioception, isometric muscle strength, reaction time, static balance, and postural stability—to falls in community-dwelling females aged 65 and older. In a cross-sectional study of 92 participants, reduced vibration sense, greater ankle plantar flexion joint reposition error (a measure of proprioception), decreased plantar flexor muscle strength, and longer plantar flexion reaction time were independently associated with a higher number of falls, with ankle proprioception identified as the strongest predictor. No significant differences were found between fallers and non-fallers in invertor/evertor strength, static balance duration, or postural sway. The findings suggest that targeted assessments and interventions addressing proprioceptive function, muscle strength, and neuromuscular response may be important components of fall prevention strategies in older women.