Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 53 12 2024 12 08 2714 2721 Jiarui Li Department of Physical Education and Research, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China Jungjun Lim Korea Institute of Sports Science, Seoul, Korea Hyungsik Jo Graduate School of Education, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea Suh-Jung Kang Sports and Health Care Major, Sangmyung University, Seoul, Korea 2024 11 08 2024 12 08 Background: We aimed to determine the differences in physical fitness between older adults with and without indicators of possible sarcopenia and the associations between possible sarcopenia and fear of falling. Methods: Individuals aged >75 years living in Harbin City, China in 2023 were recruited through a local community center. The presence of possible sarcopenia was defined using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2 criteria via grip strength measurement, with cut-off points of >28 kg for men and >18 kg for women. Physical fitness, gait ability tests, and a fear of falling questionnaire were administered. An independent t-test was used to compare differences in physical fitness and gait between individuals with and without possible sarcopenia. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association between possible sarcopenia and fear of falling. Results: The possible sarcopenia group had lower extremity strength, flexibility, and aerobic endurance than the group without possible sarcopenia (P<0.001). Regarding dynamic balance, the time taken was longer in the possible sarcopenia group (P<0.001). There was also a difference in gait ability and fear of falling between the two groups (P<0.001). Compared to individuals without possible sarcopenia, those with possible sarcopenia had significantly increased odds ratios for fear of falling (odds ratio, 9.66; 95% confidence interval, 4.06–22.98). FallingConclusion: Possible sarcopenia based on the grip strength criterion was associated with decreased physical fitness and gait performance in Chinese community-dwelling older adults. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/37140 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/37140/8417