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Advancing age is associated with more impaired mediolateral balance control after step-down task

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Javad SarvestanORCiD

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Abstract

Background: To prevent the risk of stair descent falls and associated injuries in the olderadults, it is important to understand the factors that affect this frequent locomotion of dailyliving. The fact that falls are in most cases the result of the interaction between intrinsic andextrinsic factors is very often underestimated when designing test protocols. Researchquestion: This study aimed at evaluating balance control during and immediately after stepdown onto an unstable surface. Methods: Physically active men and women aged 60–69 years(n=28) and 70–79 years (n=18) were asked to perform a step down onto a foam pad and standstill for 30 s (restabilization phase). Centre of pressure (CoP) velocity and standard deviationof CoP sway in anteroposterior and mediolateral direction were evaluated during the stepdown (CoP VAP, CoP VML, CoP SDAP, CoP SDML) and in the first 5 s of restabilization (CoPVAP5, CoP VML5, CoP SDAP5, CoP SDML5). In addition, time to complete step wasinvestigated. Results: Participants aged 70-79 years presented worse ML balance control afterstep down onto an unstable surface than their younger counterparts. This was represented bythe significantly higher values of CoP SDML5 and CoP VML5 (p=0.022 and p=0.017). No othersignificant differences were detected. Significance: Age is associated with a more significantML center of pressure velocity and sway after step down onto a foam pad in physically activeolder adults. Exercises aimed at improving ML balance control in unstable conditions shouldbe the subject of physical interventions even in older adults with overall good state of healthand physical fitness.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Bukova A, Kovacikova Z, Sarvestan J, Neumannova K, Pecho J, Zemkova E

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Gait & Posture

Year: 2023

Volume: 100

Pages: 165-170

Print publication date: 01/02/2023

Online publication date: 09/12/2022

Acceptance date: 07/12/2022

ISSN (print): 0966-6362

ISSN (electronic): 1879-2219

Publisher: Elsevier

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.12.009

DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.12.009

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