Postural stability in the elderly: a comparison between fallers and non-fallers

Melzer, Itshak; Benjuya, N.; Kaplanski, Jacob

doi:10.1093/ageing/afh218

Cited by 535 publications

(458 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Nevertheless, the relationship between strength and risk of falls remains unclear, 45 with some previous studies reporting positive associations between strength and balance ability 6,12,46 and others showing no association. 47,48 The contradictory reports may be influenced by the differing elderly populations, ranging from independent individuals living alone to those who are institutionalized and may possess different neuromuscular characteristics owing to decreased functions of self-reliant daily living. In addition it has been proposed that both the most active and inactive individuals could run increased risk of falls, because the active individuals have increased opportunity to fall whilst the inactive individuals possess poor balance ability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tendon structural and mechanical properties do not differ between genders in a healthy community‐dwelling elderly population

Burgess

Pearson

Breen

et al. 2009

Journal Orthopaedic Research

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Elderly women are reportedly at higher risk of falling than their male counterparts. Postural balance is highly associated with fall risk and is also correlated with tendon structural and mechanical properties. Gender differences in tendon properties could partly explain the discrepancy in fall risk. Thus the purpose of this study was to investigate the possible gender difference in tendon properties in the elderly. The properties of the patellar tendon of 55 elderly (men n ¼ 27, aged 72 AE 1 years, women n ¼ 28, aged 70 AE 1 years) participants were tested. Tendon stiffness (K), length (L), and cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured using B-mode ultrasonography, dynamometry, and electromyography during ramped isometric knee extensions. There were no significant differences ( p > 0.05) between men and women in tendon stiffness (elderly men 550.9 AE 29.2 vs. women 502.9 AE 44.9 Nmm À1 ) or in Young's modulus (elderly men 0.32 AE 0.02 vs. women 0.36 AE 0.04 GPa). This elderly group had similar tendon structural and mechanical properties. The comparable characteristics in genderspecific tendon properties in an elderly population exhibiting similar lifestyle characteristics to the current sample may not explain the reports in the literature regarding increased fall risk in elderly women relative to that seen in men of a similar age. Keywords: aging; gender differences; patellar tendon; stiffness; Young's modulusIn the last 30 years the proportion of the population aged 65 years or more has increased to 16% in the UK and this increase is set to continue (The Office for National Statistics, 2006). Approximately one-third of people aged over 65 fall at least once a year, and about half of these do so recurrently, leading to injury and subsequent decrease in quality of life, and in many cases death. 1 Elderly women exhibit a higher risk of falling than their male counterparts, 2,3 and most falls occur after a loss of stability in a forward direction such as tripping while walking. 2 In order to maintain balance individuals require information concerning the orientation of the body in space and the geometry of the body. In humans this information is obtained via the complex interactions of sensory systems (primarily the somatosensory, visual, and vestibular systems) and motor systems. 4 Aging results in a decline in the function of these systems and their interaction, which has been related to reduced balance ability and thus increased fall risk. [5][6][7]

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tendon structural and mechanical properties do not differ between genders in a healthy community‐dwelling elderly population

Burgess

Pearson

Breen

et al. 2009

Journal Orthopaedic Research

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“…Estudos têm reportado a presença de déficits proprioceptivos e sensoriais cutâneos em idosos que apresentam histórico de quedas (MELZER et al, 2004), e essa degeneração que ocorre no sistema proprioceptivo e vestibular induz os idosos a utilizar mais outros sentidos para garantir sua interação com o meio ambiente. Dessa forma, a função visual passa a assumir um papel mais relevante na percepção dos movimentos (ALFIERI, 2008;GAUCHARD et al, 1999;VERSHUEREN et al, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

“…Em idosos, os processos degenerativos têm sido descritos como importantes fatores de redução da capacidade perceptiva e de aumento na latência das respostas reflexas, que os osm tornam mais propensos às quedas do que jovens (MELZER et al, 2004). As quedas em idosos têm consequências importantes que envolvem fraturas, risco de morte, declínio da saúde, aumento do medo de cair e restrição de atividades físicas e diárias.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Percepção de posicionamento articular e do nível de força em sujeitos idosos e jovens

Franco

Rodacki

2011

R. Educ. Fís. UEM

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RESUMOO envelhecimento causa degeneração em sistemas orgânicos e pode comprometer a função proprioceptiva, que parece influenciar o equilíbrio e o controle postural. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar diferenças na propriocepção entre idosos e jovens. Quatorze idosos (idade = 66,3 ± 7,2 anos) e 15 jovens (idade = 23,9 ± 2,4 anos) foram submetidos a um teste de percepção de posicionamento segmentar (PPS) e a um teste de percepção do nível de força (PNF) exercida. Idosos apresentaram maior déficit proprioceptivo em reposicionamentos de membros superiores e inferiores a amplitudes maiores que 90° e em reproduções de baixa intensidade de força (20% e 30% 1RM) de músculos extensores do quadril e flexores do ombro. Os resultados indicam menor capacidade proprioceptiva em idosos na realização de movimentos de grande amplitude para membros superiores e de baixa amplitude para membros inferiores. Déficits na percepção e controle da força, embora em baixos níveis da contração isométrica máxima, foram encontrados em idosos. Palavras-chave:

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“…24 Several studies have used a peripheral neuropathy model to demonstrate a relationship between lower-limb somatosensory function and falls in older people. However, impaired lowerlimb tactile acuity, 25 vibrotactile sensitivity, and proprioception in older adults are associated with increased falls 26 independent of overt peripheral neuropathy.…”

Section: Somatosensory Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drawing on Related Knowledge to Advance Multiple Sclerosis Falls-Prevention Research

Ploughman¹,

Deshpande²,

Latimer-Cheung³

et al. 2014

International Journal of MS Care

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There is much to be learned from falls-related research outside the field of multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as from work within the MS field but not specific to falls or falls prevention. This article describes three examples of such bodies of work that have potential to broaden approaches to falls-prevention research: 1) sensory components of postural control among older adults, 2) lessons learned from physical activity promotion among people with spinal cord injury (SCI), and 3) aging among people with MS. Age-related deterioration in visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems or in sensory integration can adversely affect postural control and can contribute to falls in older people. Sensory-specific interventions designed for improving balance in older people could be adapted for preventing falls in individuals with MS. Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Action Canada's strategy for disseminating physical activity promotion interventions for adults with SCI has been successful and widely accepted by community partners. Many of the peer-based interventions developed by SCI Action Canada are potentially relevant and could be adapted to the MS population for both physical activity promotion and falls prevention. Considering that older people with MS constitute a growing proportion of the MS population and over 70% of older people with MS report moderate to extreme balance problems, falls prevention should be one of the key components, particularly for MS management in older or more disabled groups. Overall, given people's different ages, symptoms, strengths, and barriers, a tailored MS falls-prevention intervention that includes peer/caregiver support is critical. Int J MS Care. 2014;16:163-170.

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Postural stability in the elderly: a comparison between fallers and non-fallers

Abstract: simple and safe laboratory quantitative tests were able to differentiate between elderly fallers and elderly individuals who did not fall, suggesting a possible clinical application as a preliminary screening tool for predicting future risk of falling.

Cited by 535 publications

References 27 publications

Tendon structural and mechanical properties do not differ between genders in a healthy community‐dwelling elderly population

Tendon structural and mechanical properties do not differ between genders in a healthy community‐dwelling elderly population

Percepção de posicionamento articular e do nível de força em sujeitos idosos e jovens

Drawing on Related Knowledge to Advance Multiple Sclerosis Falls-Prevention Research

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