Characteristics of dynamic balance function in healthy individuals

Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of problems leading to balance dysfunction requires accurate information on the balance of the population at all ages, but little data are available.

To test the dynamic balance function in normal individuals and gather baseline data and performance characteristics across various age groups.

A total of 100 healthy subjects underwent Sensory Organization Tests (SOT), Motor Control Tests (MCT), Adaptation Tests (ADT), and Limits of Stability (LOS) using computerized dynamic posturography (CDP).

Results showed that the scores for balance function and strategy in the SOT test decreased as the difficulty level increased. During the MCT test, the postural latencies of the young group's limbs were lower than those of the elderly and middle-aged groups (p < 0.05). In the ADT test, the swinging energy during ankle stretching varied significantly among the young, middle-aged, and elderly groups (p < 0.05). In the LOS test, the young group had significantly faster reaction times but higher average movement rates and maximum movement distance than older groups (p < 0.05).

Compared to other age groups, the elderly exhibit poor dynamic balance, slow recovery from balance disturbances, and limited exercise adaptability, and require more time to react to maintain balance.