Patrick J Sparto1, A B Newman2, E M Simonsick3, P Caserotti4, E S Strotmeyer2, S B Kritchevsky5, K Yaffe6, C Rosano2. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Suite 210 Bridgeside Point, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA. psparto@pitt.edu. 2. Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. 3. Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA. 4. Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. 5. Department of Internal Medicine-Gerontology and Geriatrics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. 6. Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In older adults, impaired control of standing balance in the lateral direction is associated with the increased risk of falling. Assessing the factors that contribute to impaired standing balance control may identify areas to address to reduce falls risk. AIM: To investigate the contributions of physiological factors to standing lateral balance control. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-two participants from the Pittsburgh site of the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study had lateral balance control assessed using a clinical sensory integration balance test (standing on level and foam surface with eyes open and closed) and a lateral center of pressure tracking test using visual feedback. The center of pressure was recorded from a force platform. Multiple linear regression models examined contributors of lateral control of balance performance, including concurrently measured tests of lower extremity sensation, knee extensor strength, executive function, and clinical balance tests. Models were adjusted for age, body mass index, and sex. RESULTS: Larger lateral sway during the sensory integration test performed on foam was associated with longer repeated chair stands time. During the lateral center of pressure tracking task, the error in tracking increased at higher frequencies; greater error was associated with worse executive function. The relationship between sway performance and physical and cognitive function differed between women and men. DISCUSSION: Contributors to control of lateral balance were task-dependent. Lateral standing performance on an unstable surface may be more dependent upon general lower extremity strength, whereas visual tracking performance may be more dependent upon cognitive factors. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral balance control in ambulatory older adults is associated with deficits in strength and executive function.
BACKGROUND: In older adults, impaired control of standing balance in the lateral direction is associated with the increased risk of falling. Assessing the factors that contribute to impaired standing balance control may identify areas to address to reduce falls risk. AIM: To investigate the contributions of physiological factors to standing lateral balance control. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-two participants from the Pittsburgh site of the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study had lateral balance control assessed using a clinical sensory integration balance test (standing on level and foam surface with eyes open and closed) and a lateral center of pressure tracking test using visual feedback. The center of pressure was recorded from a force platform. Multiple linear regression models examined contributors of lateral control of balance performance, including concurrently measured tests of lower extremity sensation, knee extensor strength, executive function, and clinical balance tests. Models were adjusted for age, body mass index, and sex. RESULTS: Larger lateral sway during the sensory integration test performed on foam was associated with longer repeated chair stands time. During the lateral center of pressure tracking task, the error in tracking increased at higher frequencies; greater error was associated with worse executive function. The relationship between sway performance and physical and cognitive function differed between women and men. DISCUSSION: Contributors to control of lateral balance were task-dependent. Lateral standing performance on an unstable surface may be more dependent upon general lower extremity strength, whereas visual tracking performance may be more dependent upon cognitive factors. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral balance control in ambulatory older adults is associated with deficits in strength and executive function.
Authors: Qu Tian; Nancy W Glynn; Kirk I Erickson; Howard J Aizenstein; Eleanor M Simonsick; Kristine Yaffe; Tamara B Harris; Stephen B Kritchevsky; Robert M Boudreau; Anne B Newman; Oscar L Lopez; Judith Saxton; Caterina Rosano Journal: Behav Brain Res Date: 2015-02-02 Impact factor: 3.332
Authors: Stephen R Lord; Susan M Murray; Kirsten Chapman; Bridget Munro; Anne Tiedemann Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2002-08 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Patrick J Sparto; Andrea L Rosso; Ayushi A Divecha; Andrea L Metti; Caterina Rosano Journal: Alzheimers Dement Date: 2020-03-08 Impact factor: 21.566
Authors: Ananda A Santana-Ribeiro; Giulliani A Moreira-Brasileiro; Manuel H Aguiar-Oliveira; Roberto Salvatori; Vitor O Carvalho; Claudia K Alvim-Pereira; Carlos R Araújo-Daniel; Júlia G Reis-Costa; Alana L Andrade-Guimarães; Alécia A Oliveira-Santos; Edgar R Vieira; Miburge B Gois-Junior Journal: Endocr Connect Date: 2019-04 Impact factor: 3.335