Components of postural dyscontrol in the elderly: a review.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Aging commonly leads to postural instability and increased fall risk in the elderly.
• Existing models often oversimplify the complex factors contributing to balance impairment in older adults.
• Heterogeneity in postural dyscontrol suggests multiple underlying pathologies affecting sensorimotor systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a multicomponent approach for understanding the varied causes of postural dyscontrol in the elderly.
• To identify and discuss the neural sensorimotor components critical for normal postural control.
• To summarize how specific neurological and sensory disorders impact these postural control components.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of existing literature on aging, balance, and sensorimotor control.
• Identification of key neural sensorimotor components involved in maintaining balance.
• Summary of the effects of various diseases (e.g., Parkinson's, hemiplegia) on postural control mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Postural control relies on integrated neural sensorimotor components.
• Diseases like Parkinson's, hemiplegia, and vestibular loss significantly disrupt specific components of postural control.
• Aging exacerbates these disruptions, leading to heterogeneous postural deficits.

Conclusions:

• A generalized aging effect is insufficient to explain postural dyscontrol; a multicomponent approach is necessary.
• Quantitative posturography can detect preclinical signs of pathologies and reduced compensatory abilities.
• Early detection via quantitative posturography can aid in managing fall risk in the elderly.