Physical activity after retirement enhances vestibulo-ocular reflex in elderly humans

Vestibular information decreases in sensitivity with ageing, and its role becomes less important in the regulation of postural control. In addition, the practice of physical activity (PA) helps to improve vestibular sensitivity. This study aimed to evaluate PA-related benefit on vestibular function in 36 subjects split into four groups according to the period of practice. Caloric and rotatory vestibular testings showed that the performance of subjects who had begun practising PA recently were close to those of subjects active for a long time, whereas those of subjects who had stopped practising at an early age were close to those of inactive subjects. Although starting to practise PA has immediate beneficial effects on the vestibule, in terms of vestibular stimulation mechanisms these effects soon disappear if this activity is stopped.