This study examined the relationship between ankle co-contraction during static balance tasks and fall risk in older adults. Researchers measured ankle muscle activity with EMG in 23 older adult participants during various static balance tasks. Higher ankle co-contraction, as measured by a co-contraction index, was associated with poorer performance on a fall risk assessment test (the Four Square Step Test). Specifically, participants with high ankle co-contraction scores were over 20 times more likely to be at higher risk for falls. The results suggest that ankle co-contraction may help predict fall risk and should be a focus of interventions to improve balance in older adults.