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The effect of aging on anticipatory postural control
Neeta Kanekar1, Alexander S Aruin
1Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1919 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
Experimental Brain Research
|January 23, 2014
Summary
Older adults show delayed anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) and larger compensatory responses, leading to greater instability. Improving APAs could enhance balance in aging populations.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Postural control is crucial for stability.
- Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) precede voluntary movements to maintain balance.
- Aging affects motor control and balance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare APAs between young and older adults.
- To investigate the impact of aging on postural control.
- To examine the relationship between APAs and compensatory postural adjustments (CPAs).
Main Methods:
- Healthy young and older adults participated.
- Pendulum impact paradigm used for predictable perturbations.
- Electromyography, center of pressure (COP), and center of mass (COM) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Older adults exhibited delayed APAs and increased CPA muscle responses.
- Despite larger reactive responses, older adults showed greater COP and COM displacements.
- Impaired APAs in older adults were linked to smaller magnitudes and delayed onsets.
Conclusions:
- Aging impairs anticipatory postural control effectiveness.
- While muscle recruitment is preserved, delayed and smaller APAs reduce their impact.
- Interventions targeting APAs may improve balance in older adults and those with neurological disorders.
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