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Postural control in young and elderly adults when stance is perturbed: dynamics
M J Gu1, A B Schultz, N T Shepard
1Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-2125, USA.
Journal of Biomechanics
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Healthy elderly adults show subtle differences in balance control compared to younger adults, with age-related changes in whole-body dynamics during standing balance tasks. These differences are specific to the type of perturbation.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Gerontology
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Maintaining upright stance requires complex sensorimotor integration.
- Age-related changes in balance control are a significant concern for fall prevention in elderly populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify whole-body dynamics of balance responses in young and elderly adults.
- To identify age-related differences in the biomechanics of postural control.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a seven-link biomechanical model to analyze balance responses.
- Measured whole-body center of mass (CM) and center of reaction (CR) excursions.
- Assessed support surface reactions, joint torques, and angular momentum during self-generated and imposed balance tasks.
Main Results:
- Elderly adults exhibited higher-frequency oscillations and larger CM/CR excursions.
- Older adults tended to use larger support surface reactions and joint torques.
- Elderly subjects arrested less angular momentum in the initial response cycle during imposed disturbances.
Conclusions:
- Healthy elderly individuals demonstrate distinct whole-body dynamics in postural control compared to young adults.
- Age-related differences in balance responses are generally small and depend on the perturbation type.
- These findings highlight subtle, yet significant, biomechanical adaptations in elderly balance control.