Article

Inappropriate stepping in response to unexpected balance perturbations is more
prevalent in older people and in those at risk of falling. This study examined
responses to force-controlled waist pulls in young and older people, and sought
to identify physiological and cognitive correlates of the force threshold for
stepping. 242 older (79.7+/-4.2 years) and 15 young (29.5+/-5.3 years) adults
underwent waist pull perturbations and assessments of physiological and
neuropsychological functioning, general health and falls efficacy. Perturbation
force that induced stepping, stepping strategy and number of steps were measured.
The older group withstood less forceful perturbations with a feet-in-place
strategy, compared to young. Likewise, older adults with high falls risk
withstood less force than those with low risk. After controlling for body weight
and gender, sway and lower limb strength were independent predictors of anterior
stepping thresholds, reaction time was an independent predictor of posterior
thresholds, and executive functioning and lower limb strength were independent
predictors of the lateral thresholds. These results suggest that balance,
strength and agility training, in addition to cognitive exercises may enhance the
ability to withstand unexpected balance perturbations and reduce the risk of
falls in older people.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS