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Associations between Subtalar Muscle Strength and Balance Performance in Healthy Young and Old Adults
Marco Hagen1, Sebastian Seidel2, Daniel Sanchez Bergmann2
1Division of Movement and Training Sciences/Biomechanics of Sport, Institute of Sport and Movement Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany, marco.hagen@uni-due.de.
Gerontology
|July 3, 2019
Summary
Foot muscle strength, specifically pronator strength, is linked to better anterior-posterior balance in both young and old adults. This suggests targeted foot muscle training could improve stability, especially in older individuals.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Gerontology
- Musculoskeletal Physiology
Background:
- Lower limb muscle strength is associated with balance in adults.
- The specific role of foot muscles in postural control remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between foot muscle strength (pronator and supinator), subtalar joint range of motion (ROM), and postural stability.
- To compare these associations in young versus older adults.
Main Methods:
- Assessed maximal voluntary isometric subtalar pronator and supinator strength and subtalar ROM in 60 healthy adults (30 young, 30 old).
- Measured limits of stability (LOS) during anterior-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) leaning tasks using a force plate.
- Recorded postural sway during single-legged standing.
Main Results:
- Subtalar pronator strength correlated with AP-LOS in both age groups.
- Subtalar supinator strength correlated with ML-LOS in young adults.
- Summed subtalar muscle strength predicted 13-20% of AP-LOS variance and 18% of ML-LOS variance in young adults.
Conclusions:
- Pronator muscle strength is a significant predictor of anterior-posterior postural stability, particularly in older adults.
- Future research should explore if pronator muscle strengthening can enhance balance performance, especially for AP leaning tasks in the elderly.
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