The Association of Physical Activity Level with Body Awareness and Balance in Individuals with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

Background This study aimed to examine the association of physical activity level with body awareness and balance in individuals with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). In addition, the effects of disease-specific parameters on static and dynamic balance functions were investigated. Material and Methods Sixty-four volunteers (36 female, 28 male) were included. AS disease activity, functional level, and spinal mobility were evaluated with disease-specific indexes. Physical activity level was assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, body awareness with the Body Awareness Questionnaire, static balance with the Single Leg Stance Test, and dynamic balance with the Timed Up and Go Test and the Four Square Step Test. Results There was a relationship between physical activity level and body awareness (p < 0.05), but no correlation was found with the disease-specific assessments and balance measurements (p > 0.05). While BASFI was found to be significantly associated with both static and dynamic balance, it was noted that BASMI was just related with FSST (p < 0.05), and BASDAI was not correlated with any balance test (p > 0.05). Conclusion As a result of our study, we observed that physical activity level was associated with body awareness, but not with balance. Also, it was recorded that the functional status of individuals with AS is closely related with static and dynamic balance and dynamic balance is partially influenced by spinal mobility.