Abstract
Walking is one of the daily activities that may cause falling in older adults. We developed a novel dynamic balance training program using a perturbation-based training on a custom-made treadmill, which can generate forward, backward, and lateral sway perturbations during walking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the balance performance of community-dwelling older adults after 8-weeks of perturbation-based balance training. A three-dimensional motion analysis system was used to collect kinematic and kinetic data. Seventeen community-dwelling older adults performed quiet standing with and without the balance perturbation. Biomechanical parameters such as center of pressure (COP) and center of mass (COM) were calculated. A paired t-test was used to compare the difference in balance performance before and after the training. After training, the results showed that the COM control of the older adults was significantly improved during quiet standing with perturbation, while the COP control during quiet standing without perturbation was not changed. The perturbation-based balance training exerted a positive effect on dynamic balance control in older adults. This translational research offers a new paradigm of balance training and can be applied to patient populations who have a high risk of falling.
Highlights
The risk factors for falling can be generally classified into intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors
A paired t-test was used to compare the changes in balance performance before and after the training
This study evaluated the effectiveness of an 8-week perturbation-based balance training program in community-dwelling older adults
Summary
The risk factors for falling can be generally classified into intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors. Previous studies have used various methods to provide balance perturbations to challenge body’s postural stability, such as waist pulling[32], mastoid vibration[33], a rotational treadmill[34], decelerated walking speed[8] and a movable platform[5,7,35,36]. The results have shown that the effect of perturbation-based training may decrease the incidence of falls[5] Most of these studies have only provided single-plane balance perturbation and could not quantify the amplitude of perturbation. Previous studies have shown that perturbation-based training using a split-belt treadmill which provided an anterior-posterior direction of balance perturbation can reduce the likelihood of falls during level-ground walking, improve dynamic balance control[37], and decrease the reaction time to an auditory stimulus while walking[8]. Falls often occur as a result of incorrect weight shifting and excessive trunk sway during walking[2], and no study has included both anterior-posterior perturbation and lateral sway perturbation in a perturbation-based training on a treadmill
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
