## 1 Introduction  
Falls constitute a major health issue and are the number two cause of unintentional injuries leading to fatalities globally [1]. Due to changes in various physiological systems associated with aging, older individuals face the greatest susceptibility to falling, affecting between 30-40% of this population [2; 3]. In particular, the highest number of fatal falls occurs after the age of 60 [1]. Falls are multifactorial and their consequences are not only physical, such as injury and disability, but also psychological, especially the apprehension about falling, and social, such as social seclusion and institutionalization [2]. These conditions have an impact on the well-being of older individuals and may be costly for our public health system [2; 3]. In older individuals, diminished physical capabilities stand out as a primary contributor to falls [4]. Therefore, enhancing functional capacity, which is defined as the ability of the person to independently perform activities of daily living (ADLs), was shown to be efficacious in preventing falls among seniors [5]. Recent research showed that prescribing physical exercise with a focus on mitigating strength and muscle mass loss while maintaining balance and gait is effective in this population [5]. Slow gait is a well-established factor indicating the risk of falls among elderly individuals [6]. Walking involves coordinated functioning of the nervous, sensory, cardiorespiratory, and musculoskeletal systems, which are influenced by age [6]. During aging, gait abnormalities due to poor joint range of motion and decreased muscle strength, among other disorders, become more prevalent [7]. Approximately 10% of older adults aged 60-70 years suffer from gait abnormalities, rising to more than 60% in those over 80 years of age [6]. Consequently, gait speed is considered a valuable tool for the early detection of vulnerability to falls, and recent studies established potential gait speed cut-off points for older adults [8; 9]. Similarly, balance disorders also contribute to an increase in falls [10]. Balance skills enable individuals to control their posture and react to disturbances; dynamic balance refers to maintaining equilibrium during movement [11]. Postural imbalance, limitation of the functional peripheral visual field, proprioceptive impairment, and further complaints that greatly compromise balance are most often manifested in senescence [10]. Another element linked to a heightened risk of falls is the gradual decrease in skeletal muscle mass and strength that accompanies the aging process, which is a condition known as sarcopenia [12]. This geriatric syndrome is influenced by aging, hormonal changes, chronic diseases, inflammation, and malnutrition, among other factors [13]. A substantial body of scientific evidence [14] underscores the significance of grip strength as a biomarker for successful aging. However, it is not directly associated with ADLs like walks, which serve as an index of mobility in older individuals. It is evident that cognitive function, which progressively declines with advancing age, is inversely related to fall risk [2]. However, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis [15] regarding the risk of falls in seniors with cognitive impairment found no relationship between the level of cognitive functioning and falls in this population, whereas functional performance was linked. Given the strong relationship between cognitive function and fall risk, knowing whether physical status factors that influence falls are also related to cognitive function level will allow for a better understanding of the relationship between physical and cognitive functioning on fall risk in older adults. This information could provide a more complete insight into the mechanisms underlying falls and cognitive dysfunction and help to identify more effective interventions to prevent them.