BACKGROUND: Age-related differences in standing balance are not detected by testing the ability to maintain balance. Quality of standing balance might be more sensitive to detect age-related differences. OBJECTIVE: To study age-related differences in quality of standing balance, center of pressure (CoP) movement was evaluated using a wide range of CoP parameters in several standing conditions in healthy young and old participants. METHODS: In 35 healthy young (18-30 years) and 75 healthy old (70-80 years) participants, CoP movement was assessed in eight standing conditions on a force plate, including side-by-side, one-leg, semi-tandem and tandem stance, both with eyes open and eyes closed. Direction-specific CoP composite scores were calculated from standardized single CoP parameters (mean amplitude, amplitude variability, mean velocity, velocity variability and range) in anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) direction. Linear regression analysis was used to detect age-related differences in single CoP parameters and composite scores - adjusted for gender, height and weight. RESULTS: Overall, single CoP parameters were higher in old compared to young participants, but no single CoP parameter consistently demonstrated the largest effect size for all standing conditions. Age-related differences were demonstrated for CoP composite scores in AP direction (tandem eyes open; semi-tandem eyes closed; p < 0.001). CoP composite scores in ML direction were consistently higher for all standing conditions in old compared to young participants (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CoP composite scores in ML direction were the most consistent parameters to detect age-related differences in quality of standing balance in healthy participants and might be of clinical value to detect subtle changes in quality of standing balance.
BACKGROUND: Age-related differences in standing balance are not detected by testing the ability to maintain balance. Quality of standing balance might be more sensitive to detect age-related differences. OBJECTIVE: To study age-related differences in quality of standing balance, center of pressure (CoP) movement was evaluated using a wide range of CoP parameters in several standing conditions in healthy young and old participants. METHODS: In 35 healthy young (18-30 years) and 75 healthy old (70-80 years) participants, CoP movement was assessed in eight standing conditions on a force plate, including side-by-side, one-leg, semi-tandem and tandem stance, both with eyes open and eyes closed. Direction-specific CoP composite scores were calculated from standardized single CoP parameters (mean amplitude, amplitude variability, mean velocity, velocity variability and range) in anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) direction. Linear regression analysis was used to detect age-related differences in single CoP parameters and composite scores - adjusted for gender, height and weight. RESULTS: Overall, single CoP parameters were higher in old compared to young participants, but no single CoP parameter consistently demonstrated the largest effect size for all standing conditions. Age-related differences were demonstrated for CoP composite scores in AP direction (tandem eyes open; semi-tandem eyes closed; p < 0.001). CoP composite scores in ML direction were consistently higher for all standing conditions in old compared to young participants (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CoP composite scores in ML direction were the most consistent parameters to detect age-related differences in quality of standing balance in healthy participants and might be of clinical value to detect subtle changes in quality of standing balance.
Authors: D Engelhart; J H Pasma; A C Schouten; R G K M Aarts; C G M Meskers; A B Maier; H van der Kooij Journal: J Neurophysiol Date: 2015-12-30 Impact factor: 2.714
Authors: Sarah B Zandvliet; Carel Gm Meskers; Rinske Hm Nijland; Andreas Daffertshofer; Gert Kwakkel; Erwin Eh van Wegen Journal: Int J Stroke Date: 2019-02-13 Impact factor: 5.266
Authors: Sjoerd T Timmermans; Esmee M Reijnierse; Jantsje H Pasma; Marijke C Trappenburg; Gerard J Blauw; Andrea B Maier; Carel G M Meskers Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2018-01-15 Impact factor: 3.921
Authors: Graham J Kemp; Fraser Birrell; Peter D Clegg; Daniel J Cuthbertson; Giuseppe De Vito; Jaap H van Dieën; Silvia Del Din; Richard Eastell; Patrick Garnero; Katarzyna Goljanek-Whysall; Matthias Hackl; Richard Hodgson; Malcolm J Jackson; Sue Lord; Claudia Mazzà; Anne McArdle; Eugene V McCloskey; Marco Narici; Mandy J Peffers; Stefano Schiaffino; John C Mathers Journal: Age Ageing Date: 2018-09-01 Impact factor: 10.668