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Equilibrium and Balance

Equilibrium and Balance

The inner ear assumes dual functionalities of auditory perception and equilibrium maintenance. The vestibule is the organ responsible for balance. This organ contains mechanoreceptors, specifically hair cells, endowed with stereocilia, which aid in deciphering information regarding the position and motion of our heads. Two intrinsic components, the utricle and saccule, help perceive head position, while the semicircular canals track head movement. Neurological messages initiated in the...

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Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty

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Smooth pursuits decrease balance control during locomotion in young and older healthy females.

Neil M Thomas^1,2, Susan Dewhurst³, Theodoros M Bampouras³

¹Department of Medical and Sport Sciences, Active Ageing Research Group, University of Cumbria, Lancaster, LA1 4DH, UK. neil.thomas@uni.cumbria.ac.uk.

Experimental Brain Research

|June 5, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Smooth pursuit eye movements impair dynamic balance control in both young and older adults by increasing trunk sway and step variability. This effect is similar across age groups, highlighting a potential risk for older individuals.

Keywords:

Elderly gait Eye movements Postural control Saccades Step-variability Walking posture

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Area of Science:

Gerontology
Biomechanics
Neuroscience

Background:

Dynamic balance is crucial for preventing falls, especially in older adults.
Eye movements, particularly smooth pursuits, may influence postural control.
Understanding age-related differences in balance during visual tasks is important.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of different eye movement types on dynamic balance control.
To compare the effects of smooth pursuits and saccades on trunk movement and gait variability.
To examine age-related differences in balance control during eye movements.

Main Methods:

Assessed dynamic balance (trunk and lower limb movement) in young and older healthy females walking overground.
Utilized motion analysis and eye tracking to record posture and gaze during visual tasks (fixed target, smooth pursuits, saccades).
Compared medial/lateral trunk movement and step-width variability across conditions and age groups.

Main Results:

Smooth pursuits increased medial/lateral trunk movement and step-width variability compared to a fixed target.
Saccadic eye movements did not significantly alter balance control compared to a fixed target.
Older adults exhibited greater trunk sway and step-width variability than younger adults, independent of eye movement type.

Conclusions:

Smooth pursuit eye movements negatively affect dynamic balance control in both young and older adults.
The observed decrease in balance during smooth pursuits is likely due to complex retinal flow.
Further balance decrements from smooth pursuits are concerning for older adults who are already at a postural disadvantage.