Effects of Task Demands on Postural Control in Children of Different Ages: A Cross-Sectional Study

Asiyeh Ghanbarzadeh,Amir Ali Jafarnezhadgero,Mohammad Akrami,Elaheh Azadian,Mahdi Majlesi

doi:10.3390/app12010113

Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of dual tasks on balance during manipulation of visual information, the base of support, and cognitive tasks in 7–12-year-old children and adults. An equal number of girls (210) and boys (210) were selected from the schools by the cluster random sampling method (within the 7–12 age groups). Twenty young adults were also selected. Postural sway (PS) was measured in the anterior–posterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions using a force plate in eight standing positions, including standing with closed eyes versus standing with open eyes and standing with feet together versus on a single limb, under the interference of cognitive dual tasks (DT) or a single task (ST). PS was found to decrease with advancing age. PS was also greater in men than women in both AP and ML directions (p < 0.05). PS was greater in the 7–12-year-old participants compared to adults under the manipulation of the base of support (p < 0.05). However, PS increased in all participants regardless of their age while manipulating both the base of support and visual information (p < 0.05). Children (within the 9–12 years age range) and adults could keep their balance while performing basic tasks; however, children had difficulty in maintaining their balance with higher task demands.

Highlights

The aim of this study was to answer these questions: Does the balance of children become similar to adults by the age of 12? Which sensory system has the greatest impact on the balance of children and adults? It was assumed that balance control improves with advancing age and postural sway (PS) increases when manipulating task demands at all ages in both genders
This study offered important information about age-related changes in balance control in childhood and adolescence
The findings showed that postural control improved with advancing age in all tasks

Summary

Introduction

Standing on both legs independently toward the end of the first year is one of the milestones of motor development [1]. Balance refers to the ability to maintain static and dynamic postural stability, which is crucial for daily activities and basic motor skills [2]. Balance control is an equilibrium between stabilizing and destabilizing forces by combining sensory information from visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems and sending the information to the central nervous system to activate the appropriate motor responses to maintain balance in the center of gravity within the base of support [3]. Control of balance in the standing position depends on several factors, including interference or manipulation of the sensory systems [4,5] and the position of the legs [5]. Researchers acknowledged that optimum balance control depends on attentional requirements of postural control [6]

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion