Headline Trunk stability emerges as a particularly relevant physical capacity during aging

Maintaining balance is essential for preserving functional independence during aging. A study led by researchers from Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) and ISABIAL suggests that trunk stability may play a particularly relevant role in this process.

Published in Scientific Reports, the study found that trunk stability was more closely associated with whole-body dynamic balance than hip strength in physically active older adults. The findings also provide new insights into how different physical capacities change across adulthood and may help inform future exercise strategies aimed at preserving physical function.

“Although trunk control was widely considered important for balance, scientific evidence supporting this relationship remained limited,” explains UMH researcher Casto Juan Recio, corresponding author of the study.

Assessing balance, trunk stability and mobility across age

The study analyzed 127 healthy, physically active individuals aged 30 to 80. Researchers assessed different physical capacities linked to everyday movement. “We evaluated how trunk stability, whole-body dynamic balance, hip strength and functional mobility change with age, as well as the relationships among these capacities in older adults,” explains UMH researcher Javier De Los Ríos Calonge, whose doctoral work focused on this topic. Participants completed an unstable sitting posturographic test to assess trunk stability, a tandem stance posturographic test to assess whole-body dynamic balance, a modified Timed Up and Go test to evaluate functional mobility, and isometric hip strength assessments using handheld dynamometry.

Trunk stability showed the steepest age-related decline

All physical capacities declined progressively with age. However, trunk stability exhibited the most pronounced deterioration compared with whole-body dynamic balance, hip strength, and functional mobility, particularly among men. According to Javier De Los Ríos Calonge, these findings contribute to a better understanding of how different physical capacities evolve throughout adulthood and which physical capacities may be particularly sensitive to aging.

Different capacities may play complementary roles

When researchers examined the relationships among the physical capacities assessed in older adults, trunk stability was the variable most closely associated with whole-body dynamic balance, whereas hip strength was primarily associated with functional mobility. “The findings suggest that different physical capacities may play complementary roles during aging,” explains Sergio Hernández Sánchez, first author of the study.

Implications for exercise strategies

David Barbado, co-author of the study and researcher at UMH, highlights the practical implications of these findings: “Our results may help refine exercise strategies. Beyond promoting physical activity across the lifespan, it may be useful to pay particular attention to capacities that show a marked age-related decline and are also associated with important aspects of physical function, such as balance and mobility.”

The researchers emphasize that exercises involving instability or postural control challenges should be supervised by qualified professionals and adapted to each individual’s physical condition to ensure both effectiveness and safety.

Preventing functional decline with age

The study also suggests that general physical activity, although beneficial, may not fully prevent age-related declines in some aspects of postural control, highlighting the potential value of more targeted neuromuscular training approaches.

Improving trunk stability and hip strength may have important clinical implications, as both whole-body balance and mobility are closely linked to fall risk and the ability to maintain independence in daily life.

The authors emphasize that these capacities should be monitored by qualified professionals and addressed before substantial age-related declines occur, not only once individuals reach older age