Comparison of knee joint position sense, physical performance, functional capacity, postural control, fall risk and fear of falling in obese and normal weight individuals

This study was planned to compare knee joint position sense (KJPS), physical performance, functional capacity, postural control, fall risk and fear of falling in obese and normal weight individuals. The study included 28 obese individuals with a mean age of 41.0±19.0 years, between the ages of 40-60, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30.00-34.99 kg/m² and 28 normal weight individuals with a BMI of 18.00-24.99 kg/m². Within the scope of the study, obese and normal weight individuals were evaluated for knee flexion DEPH at 30°, 45°, and 60° with the Joint Repositioning Method (JRMM), physical performance with the Timed Up and Go Test (TRUMT), functional capacity with the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), postural control static with the Single Leg Stance Test (SLST), dynamic with the Y Balance Test (YST), fall risks with the Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ASBS), and fear of falling using the Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale (TFES). There was a significant difference between obese and normal weight individuals in terms of DEPH, physical performance, functional capacity, postural control, and fear of falling (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between obese and normal weight individuals in terms of fall risks (p>0.05). As a result, this study suggests that obese individuals have more angular error in knee joint position sense, losses in physical performance, functional capacity, postural control results, higher fear of falling, and no difference in fall risks compared to normal weight individuals. KEYWORDS: Obesity, Knee joint position sense, Physical performance, Functional capacity, Postural control, Fall risk, Fear of falling.