Balance control in the elderly: do Masters athletes show more efficient balance responses than healthy older adults?

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 406-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra G. Brauer ◽  
Christina Neros ◽  
Marjorie Woollacott
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Masters Athletes

scholarly journals Agility Training to Integratively Promote Neuromuscular, Cognitive, Cardiovascular and Psychosocial Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Study Protocol of a One-Year Randomized-Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mareike Morat ◽  
Oliver Faude ◽  
Henner Hanssen ◽  
Sebastian Ludyga ◽  
Jonas Zacher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Training Concept ◽  
One Year

Exercise training effectively mitigates aging-induced health and fitness impairments. Traditional training recommendations for the elderly focus separately on relevant physiological fitness domains, such as balance, flexibility, strength and endurance. Thus, a more holistic and functional training framework is needed. The proposed agility training concept integratively tackles spatial orientation, stop and go, balance and strength. The presented protocol aims at introducing a two-armed, one-year randomized controlled trial, evaluating the effects of this concept on neuromuscular, cardiovascular, cognitive and psychosocial health outcomes in healthy older adults. Eighty-five participants were enrolled in this ongoing trial. Seventy-nine participants completed baseline testing and were block-randomized to the agility training group or the inactive control group. All participants undergo pre- and post-testing with interim assessment after six months. The intervention group currently receives supervised, group-based agility training twice a week over one year, with progressively demanding perceptual, cognitive and physical exercises. Knee extension strength, reactive balance, dual task gait speed and the Agility Challenge for the Elderly (ACE) serve as primary endpoints and neuromuscular, cognitive, cardiovascular, and psychosocial meassures serve as surrogate secondary outcomes. Our protocol promotes a comprehensive exercise training concept for older adults, that might facilitate stakeholders in health and exercise to stimulate relevant health outcomes without relying on excessively time-consuming physical activity recommendations.

scholarly journals Visual-Somatosensory Integration and Balance: Evidence for Psychophysical Integrative Differences in Aging

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeannette R. Mahoney ◽  
Roee Holtzer ◽  
Joe Verghese
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Multisensory Processing ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Static Balance ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Stance Time ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The Relationship

Research detailing multisensory integration (MSI) processes in aging and their association with clinically relevant outcomes is virtually non-existent. To our knowledge, the relationship between MSI and balance has not been well-established in aging. Given known alterations in unisensory processing with increasing age, the aims of the current study were to determine differential behavioral patterns of MSI in aging and investigate whether MSI was significantly associated with balance and fall-risk. Seventy healthy older adults ( years; 58% female) participated in the current study. Participants were instructed to make speeded responses to visual, somatosensory, and visual-somatosensory (VS) stimuli. Based on reaction times (RTs) to all stimuli, participants were classified into one of two groups (MSI or NO MSI), depending on their MSI RT benefit. Static balance was assessed using mean unipedal stance time. Overall, results revealed that RTs to VS stimuli were significantly shorter than those elicited to constituent unisensory conditions. Further, the current experimental design afforded differential patterns of multisensory processing, with 75% of the elderly sample demonstrating multisensory enhancements. Interestingly, 25% of older adults did not demonstrate multisensory RT facilitation; a finding that was attributed to extremely fast RTs overall and specifically in response to somatosensory inputs. Individuals in the NO MSI group maintained significantly better unipedal stance times and reported less falls, compared to elders in the MSI group. This study reveals the existence of differential patterns of multisensory processing in aging, while describing the clinical translational value of MSI enhancements in predicting balance and falls risk.

scholarly journals Are Static and Dynamic Postural Balance Assessments Two Sides of the Same Coin? A Cross-Sectional Study in the Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Rizzato ◽  
Antonio Paoli ◽  
Marta Andretta ◽  
Francesca Vidorin ◽  
Giuseppe Marcolin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Postural Balance ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Task Condition ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Dual Task Condition ◽  
Healthy Older Adults

The aim of this study was to investigate if the combination of static and dynamic postural balance assessments gives more accurate indications on balance performance among healthy older adults. We also aimed at studying the effect of a dual-task condition on static and dynamic postural balance control. Fifty-seven healthy older adults (age = 73.2 ± 5.0 year, height = 1.66 ± 0.08 m, and body mass = 72.8 ± 13.8 kg) completed the study. Static and dynamic balance were assessed both in single-task and dual-task conditions through a force plate and an oscillating platform. The dominant handgrip strength was also measured with a dynamometer. Pearson’s correlation revealed non-statistically significant correlations between static and dynamic balance performance. The dual-task worsened the balance performance more in the dynamic (+147.8%) than in the static (+25.10%, +43.45%, and +72.93% for ellipse area, sway path, and AP oscillations, respectively) condition (p < 0.001). A weak correlation was found between dynamic balance performance and handgrip strength both in the single (p < 0.05; r = −0.264) and dual (p < 0.05; r = −0.302) task condition. The absence of correlations between static and dynamic balance performance suggests including both static and dynamic balance tests in the assessment of postural balance alterations among older adults. Since cognitive-interference tasks exacerbated the degradation of the postural control performance, dual-task condition should also be considered in the postural balance assessment.

scholarly journals The Effects of Different Types of Dual Tasking on Balance in Healthy Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 933
Author(s):  
Graça Monteiro de Barros ◽  
Filipe Melo ◽  
Josefa Domingos ◽  
Raul Oliveira ◽  
Luís Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Motor Task ◽  
Dual Tasking ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Single Motor ◽  
Different Types

Numerous of our daily activities are performed within multitask or dual task conditions. These conditions involve the interaction of perceptual and motor processes involved in postural control. Age-related changes may negatively impact cognition and balance control. Studies identifying changes related to dual-task actions in older people are need. This study aimed to determine the effects of different types of dual-tasking on the balance control of healthy older adults. The sample included 36 community-living older adults, performing two tests—a sway test and a timed up-and-go test—in three conditions: (a) single motor task; (b) dual motor task; and (c) dual motor task with cognitive demands. Cognitive processes (dual-task and cognition) affected static balance, increasing amplitude (p < 0.001) and frequency (p < 0.001) of the center of mass displacements. Dynamic balance revealed significant differences between the single motor condition and the other two conditions during gait phases (p < 0.001). The effect of dual-tasking in older adults suggests that cognitive processes are a main cause of increased variability in balance and gait when under an automatic control. During sit-to-stand, turning, and turn-to-sit movements under dual-tasking, the perceptive information becomes the most important focus of attention, while any cognitive task becomes secondary.

scholarly journals A Survey of Dementia Knowledge and Recognition of Dementia Prevention and Practice in Healthy Older Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 256-263
Author(s):  
Nanako Yamane ◽  
Kanto Tsukagoshi ◽  
Miharu Hisada ◽  
Mina Yamaguchi ◽  
Yukiko Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Preventive Behaviors ◽  
Aggregation Method ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Resource Center ◽  
Dementia Prevention ◽  
Amount Of Knowledge

<b><i>Aim:</i></b> The aim of this study was to investigate the level of dementia knowledge and behaviors recognized as dementia-preventive and the practice thereof among healthy older adults who are highly motivated to engage in activities. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The participants were older adults registered at the Silver Human Resource Center of city A, and participants anonymously filled questionnaires through the aggregation method in January 2020. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The analysis included 78 participants (the effective response rate was 49.7%). All participants were aware of at least 4 dementia-preventive behaviors, and about 80% of all participants practiced at least 1 preventive behavior. Approximately 20% of participants were not practicing preventive behaviors at all. The elderly aged 65 to 74 years had more knowledge about dementia and more types of behavior perceived as dementia-preventive than the elderly aged 75 years and older. There was no significant correlation between the level of dementia knowledge and the number of types of dementia-preventive behaviors. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Healthy older adults were aware of numerous behaviors for dementia prevention, and most older adults practiced preventive behaviors. In contrast, even with a high amount of knowledge about dementia, a small number of healthy older adults did not translate this knowledge into preventative behavioral practices. High levels of dementia knowledge do not translate into preventive behavioral practices.

scholarly journals Comparison between the effects of exergame intervention and traditional physical training on improving balance and fall prevention in healthy older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Chen ◽  
Yuan Zhang ◽  
Zhenxiang Guo ◽  
Dapeng Bao ◽  
Junhong Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Physical Training ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Dose Effect ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Healthy Older Adults

Abstract Objective Physical training (PT, e.g., Tai Chi and strength training) has been demonstrated to improve balance control and prevent falls. Recently, exergame intervention (EI) has emerged to prevent falls by enhancing both physical and cognitive functions in older adults. Therefore, we aim to quantitatively assess and compare the effects of PT and EI on the performance of balance control and fall prevention in healthy older adults via meta-analysis. Methods A search strategy based on the PICOS principle was used to find the publication in the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE. The quality and risk of bias in the studies were independently assessed by two researchers. Results Twenty studies consisting of 845 participants were included. Results suggested that as compared to PT, EI induced greater improvement in postural control (sway path length, SMD = − 0.66, 95% CI − 0.91 to − 0.41, P < 0.001, I2 = 0%; sway speed, SMD = − 0.49, 95% CI − 0.71 to − 0.27, P < 0.001, I2 = 42%) and dynamic balance (SMD = − 0.19, 95% CI − 0.35 to − 0.03, P = 0.02, I2 = 0%) in healthy older adults. The EI with 90–119 min/week for more than 8-week significantly reduced falls. Subgroup analyses revealed that exergames, which were designed by the two principles of repeatedly performing diversified tasks and gradually increase the difficulty of the task, induced significant effects in improving balance control and falls prevention respectively (P = 0.03, P = 0.009). In addition, intervention that combines EI and PT induced significant improvement in postural control (P = 0.003). Conclusion The exergame intervention, especially the combination of EI and PT, is a promising strategy to improve balance control and reduce falls in healthy older adults. Future studies with rigorous design, larger sample size, and follow-up assessments are needed to further assess the effectiveness of diverse exergame interventions in fall prevention and to quantify the “dose-effect” relationship, as well as the carry-over effect of such intervention, which will ultimately help optimize the rehabilitative strategies to improve balance control and prevent falls.

scholarly journals Age-Related Changes of the Anticipatory Postural Adjustments During Gait Initiation Preceded by Vibration of Lower Leg Muscles

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Kimijanová ◽  
Diana Bzdúšková ◽  
Zuzana Hirjaková ◽  
František Hlavačka
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Lower Leg ◽  
Anticipatory Postural Adjustments ◽  
The Body ◽  
Gait Initiation ◽  
Leg Muscles ◽  
Age Related

Gait initiation (GI) challenges the balance control system, especially in the elderly. To date, however, there is no consensus about the age effect on the anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs). There is also a lack of research on APAs in older adults after proprioceptive perturbation in the sagittal plane. This study aimed to compare the ability of young and older participants to generate APAs in response to the vibratory-induced perturbation delivered immediately before GI. Twenty-two young and 22 older adults performed a series of GI trials: (1) without previous vibration; (2) preceded by the vibration of triceps surae muscles; and (3) preceded by the vibration of tibialis anterior muscles. The APAs magnitude, velocity, time-to-peak, and duration were extracted from the center of pressure displacement in the sagittal plane. Young participants significantly modified their APAs during GI, whereas older adults did not markedly change their APAs when the body vertical was shifted neither backward nor forward. Significant age-related declines in APAs were observed also regardless of the altered proprioception.The results show that young adults actively responded to the altered proprioception from lower leg muscles and sensitively scaled APAs according to the actual position of the body verticality. Contrary, older adults were unable to adjust their postural responses indicating that the challenging transition from standing to walking probably requires higher reliance on the visual input. The understanding of age-related differences in APAs may help to design training programs for the elderly specifically targeted to improve balance control in different sensory conditions, particularly during gait initiation.

scholarly journals Lighten Up! Postural Instructions Affect Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajal G Cohen ◽  
Jason L Baer ◽  
Ramyaa Ravichandra ◽  
Daniel Kral ◽  
Craig McGowan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Quiet Standing ◽  
Upright Posture ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Eyes Open

Abstract Background and Objectives Increased fall risk in older adults is associated with declining balance. Previous work showed that brief postural instructions can affect balance control in older adults with Parkinson’s disease. Here, we assessed the effects of brief instructions on static and dynamic balance in healthy older adults. Research Design and Methods Nineteen participants practiced three sets of instructions, then attempted to implement each instructional set during: (1) quiet standing on foam for 30 s with eyes open; (2) a 3-s foot lift. “Light” instructions relied on principles of reducing excess tension while encouraging length. “Effortful” instructions relied on popular concepts of effortful posture correction. “Relax” instructions encouraged minimization of effort. We measured kinematics and muscle activity. Results During quiet stance, Effortful instructions increased mediolateral jerk and path length. In the foot lift task, Light instructions led to the longest foot-in-air duration and the smallest anteroposterior variability of the center of mass, Relax instructions led to the farthest forward head position, and Effortful instructions led to the highest activity in torso muscles. Discussion and Implications Thinking of upright posture as effortless may reduce excessive co-contractions and improve static and dynamic balance, while thinking of upright posture as inherently effortful may make balance worse. This may partly account for the benefits of embodied mindfulness practices such as tai chi and Alexander technique for balance in older adults. Pending larger-scale replication, this discovery may enable physiotherapists and teachers of dance, exercise, and martial arts to improve balance and reduce fall risk in their older students and clients simply by modifying how they talk about posture.

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