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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
08:12

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Published on: September 11, 2019

Postural control of elderly: moving to predictable and unpredictable targets.

Vera Jongman1, Claudine J C Lamoth, Helco van Keeken

  • 1University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.

Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|September 8, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Older adults experience decreased postural control, especially with unpredictable movements. Young adults demonstrated superior ability to utilize target information for faster, more accurate movements, highlighting age-related differences in prospective motor control.

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Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Biomechanics
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • Impaired postural control and muscle weakness are significant risk factors for falls in the elderly.
  • Daily activities often involve weight shifting and continuous adjustments to maintain balance, particularly when reaching for objects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine postural control differences between healthy elderly and young subjects.
  • To investigate how predictable versus unpredictable target locations affect postural control during a center of mass movement task.

Main Methods:

  • Healthy elderly and young participants performed a task requiring them to move their center of mass towards virtual targets on a screen.
  • Target locations were presented in both predictable and unpredictable sequences.
  • Measures included movement time and trajectory regularity to assess postural control.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
08:12

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Published on: September 11, 2019

A Modified Lean and Release Technique to Emphasize Response Inhibition and Action Selection in Reactive Balance
07:19

A Modified Lean and Release Technique to Emphasize Response Inhibition and Action Selection in Reactive Balance

Published on: March 19, 2020

Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication
14:52

Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication

Published on: December 11, 2013

Main Results:

  • Postural control was diminished with unpredictable targets, evidenced by longer movement times and more irregular trajectories.
  • Both age groups benefited from early target location information, but young adults showed greater improvement.
  • Younger individuals demonstrated a superior ability to use prospective information for rapid and accurate movement execution.

Conclusions:

  • Age-related decline in postural control is exacerbated by unpredictability.
  • Younger adults possess enhanced capabilities in prospectively utilizing visual information for motor control compared to older adults.
  • These findings have implications for understanding fall risk and designing interventions for the elderly.