Abstract
Postural sway increases with age and peripheral sensory disease. Whether, peripheral sensory function is related to postural sway independent of age in healthy adults is unclear. Here, we investigated the relationship between tests of visual function (VISFIELD), vestibular function (CANAL or OTOLITH), proprioceptive function (PROP), and age, with center of mass sway area (COM) measured with eyes open then closed on firm and then a foam surface. A cross-sectional sample of 366 community dwelling healthy adults from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging was tested. Multiple linear regressions examined the association between COM and VISFIELD, PROP, CANAL, and OTOLITH separately and in multi-sensory models controlling for age and gender. PROP dominated sensory prediction of sway across most balance conditions (β's = 0.09–0.19, p's < 0.001), except on foam eyes closed where CANAL function loss was the only significant sensory predictor of sway (β = 2.12, p < 0.016). Age was not a consistent predictor of sway. This suggests loss of peripheral sensory function explains much of the age-associated increase in sway.
Highlights
The ability to stand upright without falling is paramount to the ability to perform many daily tasks
These results suggest that independent of age, decline in proprioceptive function is a predominant contributor to the increased postural sway in older adults in most standing conditions
We extend prior work by demonstrating that reduced vestibular function becomes the primary driver of increased postural sway in standing conditions with limited sensory information
Summary
The ability to stand upright without falling is paramount to the ability to perform many daily tasks. Somatosensory and vestibular sensory inputs are flexibly fused into a consolidated representation of body position and sway (Hwang et al, 2014). Integration of this sensory information and the appropriate generation of motor commands are necessary for control of upright standing posture in diverse settings and environments (Horak and MacPherson, 1996; Peterka, 2002). On the floor with eyes open (Condition 1), vision, proprioception, and vestibular inputs all provide reliable and consistent information regarding body sway.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
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.
