Smits, J. (2016) Are sensorimotor balance control parameters predictive for maximum feet-in-place balance capacity? A cross-sectional study. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Introduction Balance deficits are among the most important risk factors of falls in older people. However, insight in the underlying mechanisms is limited and hampers the future development of effective fall preventive interventions. Prevention of falls is depending on the ability the recover from loss of balance. This study aims to identify balance control parameters that are predictive for maximal balance capacity. Methods Sixteen healthy young subjects, sixteen healthy older subjects without a history of falls and fourteen healthy older subjects with a history of falls participated in this study. On a movable platform we determined maximum feet-in-place capacity (stepping threshold). We also measured muscle response latencies for the prime movers during forward and backward direction. Sensorimotor integration was assessed on the Balance test Room (BalRoom) by applying mechanical and sensory disturbances. Frequency response functions (FRF's) were used to estimate the magnitude and timing of the response to these disturbances. Pearson correlations were used to reveal associations between 1) stepping thresholds and outcomes for sensorimotor integration. Regression analysis was performed to identify the main predictor for stepping threshold. And 2) muscle onset latencies and temporal outcomes for sensorimotor integration. Results Older individuals had lower stepping thresholds (F(2,46) = 18.497, p<0.01) and were more sensitive to proprioceptive disturbances F(2,42 = 6.151, p<0.01). Proprioceptive sensitivity was the most important predictor for forward stepping threshold (R2 = 0.172, p = 0.005). No predictors for backward stepping thresholds were found. Healthy young individuals responded faster (shorter onset latencies) than healthy older individuals (F(2,41) = 14.731, p<0.01). Muscle onset latencies were associated with phase lags for visual and proprioceptive disturbances. Conclusion Aging is associated with poor balance capacity and higher sensitivity for proprioceptive disturbances. This proprioceptive sensitivity was only a poor predictor for forward stepping threshold. Yet, it remains to be investigated whether higher sensitivity to proprioceptive disturbances is predictive for future falls.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Kam, J. de and Otter, A.R. den |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 03 May 2022 10:19 |
| Last Modified: | 03 May 2022 10:19 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3188 |
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