Fall Risk in Adults Over 65: The Relevance of Morphological and Functional Lower Limb Asymmetries.

Falls among older adults represent a major public health burden. Approximately 30% of individuals aged 65 and older experience at least one fall each year. These events can lead not only to increased anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life but also to serious injuries or even death. Key risk factors include muscle weakness, gait disturbances, and balance impairments. Lower limb asymmetry-referring to differences in strength, flexibility, composition, or functional capacity between the two legs-has emerged as a potentially important yet underexplored contributor to fall risk in the elderly population. While asymmetry is frequently studied in the context of sports and physical performance, where it may affect both injury risk and athletic outcomes, its implications for balance and mobility in older adults remain insufficiently investigated. This study aims to examine the relationship between lower limb asymmetries and fall risk, with the goal of identifying predictive indicators and informing the development of more effective fall prevention strategies. Ultimately, a better understanding of this relationship could contribute to improved quality of life for older adults and a reduction in healthcare costs associated with fall-related hospitalizations.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female, of any ethnicity. * Age ≥ 65 years. * Cognitively intact. * Independent ambulation. * Signed and accepted informed consent to participate in all procedures required for the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous surgical treatments for orthopedic conditions performed within the six months prior to study inclusion. * Severe cardiac, pulmonary, or musculoskeletal disorders that may influence the assessment outcomes. * Comorbidities associated with increased fall risk, such as Parkinson's disease or stroke. * Body Mass Index ≥ 30.0. * Use of medications that affect motor coordination, balance, or bone and muscle metabolism. * Active oncological disease.