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Gender differences in postural stability in elderly people under institutional care
Agnieszka Wiśniowska-Szurlej1, Agnieszka B Ćwirlej-Sozańska1, Anna Wilmowska-Pietruszyńska2
1Department of Medicine, Institute of Physiotherapy, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland.
Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics
|November 20, 2019
Summary
Older men in care homes have poorer postural stability than women, especially without visual input. Balance worsens with age, highlighting the need for targeted exercises in institutional care settings.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Biomechanics
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Postural stability is crucial for independent living in older adults.
- Institutionalized older individuals often experience declines in balance.
- Understanding gender-specific differences in postural control is vital for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate postural stability indicators in institutionalized older men and women.
- To identify gender-based disparities in balance control among elderly residents.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 123 residents (aged 65-85) from care homes in Rzeszów.
- Utilized the CQ-Stab 2P 2-platform posturograph for quantitative balance assessment.
- Assessed postural stability under conditions with and without visual control.
Main Results:
- Significant gender differences observed in several postural stability parameters under visual control.
- Men exhibited poorer balance, particularly in anteroposterior and lateral directions, when visual input was removed.
- Age correlated with worsened balance in men without visual control.
Conclusions:
- Postural stability differs significantly between genders in institutionalized older adults, with men showing lower stability.
- Eliminating visual input markedly impairs balance in this population.
- Therapeutic programs incorporating proprioceptive and vision-denied exercises are recommended for nursing homes.
