Age-Related Differences in Quality of Standing Balance Using a Composite Score

• Published in: Gerontology (Basel) Vol. 60; no. 4; pp. 306 - 314
• Main Authors: Pasma, Jantsje H., Bijlsma, Astrid Y., van der Bij, Mark D.W., Arendzen, J. Hans, Meskers, Carel G.M., Maier, Andrea B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland Karger 01.01.2014; S. Karger AG
• Subjects: Ability; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Aging - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanics; Clinical Section / Original Paper; Development. Metamorphosis. Moult. Ageing; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Postural Balance - physiology; Posture - physiology; Pressure; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Young Adult; Aging; Standing balance; Center of pressure movement; Senescence; Age
• ISSN: 0304-324X; 1423-0003
• DOI: 10.1159/000357406

Abstract Background: Age-related differences in standing balance are not detected by testing the ability to maintain balance. Quality of standing balance might be more sensitive to detect age-related differences. Objective: To study age-related differences in quality of standing balance, center of pressure (CoP) movement was evaluated using a wide range of CoP parameters in several standing conditions in healthy young and old participants. Methods: In 35 healthy young (18-30 years) and 75 healthy old (70-80 years) participants, CoP movement was assessed in eight standing conditions on a force plate, including side-by-side, one-leg, semi-tandem and tandem stance, both with eyes open and eyes closed. Direction-specific CoP composite scores were calculated from standardized single CoP parameters (mean amplitude, amplitude variability, mean velocity, velocity variability and range) in anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) direction. Linear regression analysis was used to detect age-related differences in single CoP parameters and composite scores - adjusted for gender, height and weight. Results: Overall, single CoP parameters were higher in old compared to young participants, but no single CoP parameter consistently demonstrated the largest effect size for all standing conditions. Age-related differences were demonstrated for CoP composite scores in AP direction (tandem eyes open; semi-tandem eyes closed; p < 0.001). CoP composite scores in ML direction were consistently higher for all standing conditions in old compared to young participants (p < 0.001). Conclusion: CoP composite scores in ML direction were the most consistent parameters to detect age-related differences in quality of standing balance in healthy participants and might be of clinical value to detect subtle changes in quality of standing balance.