Sensory-specific balance training in older adults: effect on position, movement, and velocity sense at the ankle

Age-related changes in proprioception contribute to impairments in postural control and increased fall risk in older adults. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the effects of balance exercises on proprioception.

The participants were 36 older people and 24 younger people who were healthy.

Older participants were randomly assigned to a balance exercise group (n=17) or a falls prevention education group (n=19). Baseline, postintervention, and 8-week follow-up measurements of 3 proprioceptive measures (threshold to perception of passive movement, passive joint position sense, and velocity discrimination) were obtained at the ankle. For comparative purposes, younger participants underwent a one-time assessment of the 3 proprioceptive measures.

Postintervention improvements in velocity discrimination were found in the balance exercise group when compared with values at baseline and in the falls prevention education group. Age-related differences found at baseline were reduced in the balance exercise group after intervention. Improvements were not maintained at the 8-week follow-up. Threshold to perception of passive movement and passive joint position sense did not change as a function of the exercise intervention.

The results suggest that short-term improvements in velocity sense, but not movement and position sense, may be achieved following a balance exercise intervention.