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Age-related changes in human posture control: sensory organization tests.
1Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center, R. S. Dow Neurological Sciences Institute, Portland, OR 97210.
Journal of Vestibular Research : Equilibrium & Orientation
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Postural control remains stable with age under normal sensory conditions. However, older adults and children show increased body sway when visual or somatosensory cues are altered.
Area of Science:
- Human physiology
- Gerontology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Postural control is crucial for daily activities.
- Age-related changes in sensory systems can impact balance.
- Understanding these changes is vital for fall prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in postural control.
- To examine the effects of altered sensory cues on balance.
- To identify age-specific vulnerabilities in sensory reweighting.
Main Methods:
- 214 human subjects aged 7-81 years participated.
- Sensory Organization Tests (SOT) measured anterior-posterior body sway.
- Conditions included normal, altered, and eliminated visual/somatosensory cues.
Main Results:
- No age-related sway increase on a stable surface with normal vision.
- Increased sway observed in older adults (>55 years) with altered sensory cues.
- Younger subjects (<15 years) showed sensitivity to altered somatosensory cues.
Conclusions:
- Postural control is maintained with age unless sensory input is compromised.
- Older adults rely more on visual cues, while younger individuals depend on somatosensory input.
- Sensory reweighting strategies for balance change across the lifespan.