Further evidence for age-related deficits in human postural function

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of aging on postural function in human subjects. Subjects aged 18-39 years (n = 24), 40-59 years (n = 24) and 60 years or older (n = 27) were tested for postural stability using an electronic balance platform. There was a significant increa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of vestibular research Vol. 9; no. 4; pp. 261 - 264
Main Authors Matheson, A J, Darlington, C L, Smith, P F
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Netherlands 01.01.1999
Subjects
Accidental Falls - prevention & control
Adult
Age Factors
Aging - physiology
Analysis of Variance
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Postural Balance - physiology
Posture - physiology
Sex Factors
Space life sciences
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Summary:The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of aging on postural function in human subjects. Subjects aged 18-39 years (n = 24), 40-59 years (n = 24) and 60 years or older (n = 27) were tested for postural stability using an electronic balance platform. There was a significant increase in postural instability with increasing age (P < 0.0001), and as the conditions of testing became more difficult (P < 0.0001) (e.g., with eyes closed). Elderly males were found to have significantly poorer postural control than elderly females in the visual-vestibular conflict conditions (P < 0.05). These results further demonstrate a decline in postural function with increasing age, which may be related to deterioration in the peripheral or central vestibular systems and may be partly responsible for the high incidence of falls in the elderly.
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ISSN:0957-4271
1878-6464
DOI:10.3233/VES-1999-9403