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Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability

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Age-related changes in mediolateral dynamic stability control during volitional stepping.

Jonathan C Singer¹, Stephen D Prentice, William E McIlroy

¹Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1.

|March 26, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Older adults struggle with mediolateral dynamic stability during stepping, showing greater center of mass (COM) instability. This may stem from challenges in reactive control during the restabilization phase after stepping.

Keywords:

Ageing Balance control Centre of mass Lateral stability Stepping

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Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Gerontology
Motor Control

Background:

Mediolateral dynamic stability during stepping is crucial for older adults, with deficits linked to falls and hip fractures.
The precise mechanisms underlying mediolateral instability in older adults remain unclear.
The restabilization phase post-foot contact is hypothesized as a key determinant of dynamic stability.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the mechanisms of mediolateral dynamic stability control during volitional forward stepping in younger and older adults.
To compare the dynamic stability of older adults to that of younger adults during challenging stepping tasks.
To identify how stepping speed and placement affect dynamic stability in different age groups.

Main Methods:

Twenty younger and 20 older adults performed single-step tasks varying in speed and placement.
The trajectory of the total body center of mass (COM) was quantified.
Mediolateral COM incongruity and its trial-to-trial variability were calculated as measures of dynamic stability.

Main Results:

Older adults demonstrated significantly greater COM incongruity and trial-to-trial variability, indicating reduced dynamic stability compared to younger adults.
Increased instability in older adults occurred despite kinematic adjustments during step initiation and swing.
Rapid stepping conditions exacerbated instability, showing higher incongruity and variability than preferred speed stepping.

Conclusions:

Increased COM incongruity and variability in older adults reflect diminished dynamic stability during stepping.
Difficulties in reactive control during the restabilization phase may underlie the observed instability in older adults.
These findings highlight a critical area for interventions aimed at fall prevention in the elderly.