AGE-RELATED FEATURES OF POSTURAL STABILITY IN ELDERLY WOMEN

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the age-related features of the components of the postural balance (CPB) in elderly women with preserved postural stability. Methods. In total, 424 women aged 60-69 years who did not experience a single fall in the last 12 months were examined. Women were divided into two groups: 60-64 years old (n = 251) and 65-69 years old (n = 173). To assess the CPB, a Sensory Organization Test (SOT) of the Computerized Dynamic Posturography «Smart Equitest Balance Manager» was performed. Results. When analyzing the quality indicators of the equilibrium function in functional tests 1-4 and 6, as well as the postural maintaining strategy (PMS) in 1-6 SOT conditions, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups (p > 0.1), but quality indicators of the equilibrium function in test 5 in women 65-69 years old were greater (p = 0.045) than in their younger counterparts. Quality indicators of the equilibrium function and SOT PMS did not differ between the groups indicating that women 65-69 years old who did not experience falls did not show changes in adaptive capabilities, as well as static and statodynamic neurophysiological mechanisms to maintain the balance. Analysis of somatosensory and visual (visual-spatial) information in balance control also did not reveal age-related changes between the groups. However, vestibular information indicators in monitoring balance maintenance in women 65-69 years old were higher (p = 0.045). Conclusions. The indicators of the equilibrium function in test 5 and the effectiveness of vestibular information in controlling the balance of women after 64 years will determine the preservation of postural stability functions and may have a beneficial effect on their life expectancy, and also determine the risk of premature changes in CPB.