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Changes in postural balance associated with a woman's aging process
Guilherme Carlos Brech1, Tatiana Godoy Bobbio2, Kelem de Negreiros Cabral3
1Graduate Program in Aging Sciences, Universidade São Judas Tadeu (USJT), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Laboratory Study of Movement, Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia do Hospital das Clínicas (IOT-HC) da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
|May 14, 2022
Summary
Aging significantly worsens postural balance in women, particularly after age 80. This decline in balance increases fall risk and impacts functional independence in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Biomechanics
- Human Aging and Motor Control
Background:
- Aging is associated with a progressive decline in postural balance.
- Impaired balance in older adults increases the risk of falls and reduces functional independence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of aging on static postural balance in women aged 50 to 89.
- To identify age-related changes in postural control across different decades of adult life.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 400 irregularly active women.
- Participants were categorized into four age groups: 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s.
- Postural balance was assessed using a force platform under Eyes Open (EO) and Eyes Closed (EC) conditions.
Main Results:
- Women in their 80s (9th decade) exhibited greater mediolateral displacement, range, and mean velocity compared to women in their 50s and 60s.
- Increased postural sway (displacement) was observed in the oldest group (80s) under both EO and EC conditions.
- The 70s group showed greater mean velocity than the 50s group in the EO condition.
Conclusions:
- Posturography reveals a significant decline in postural balance with advancing age.
- The 9th decade of life (80s) represents a critical period for increased postural instability.
- These findings highlight the 9th decade as a borderline age for detrimental balance changes, emphasizing the need for interventions.
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