Abstract
The identification of factors that alter postural stability is fundamental in the design of interventions to maintain independence and mobility. This is especially important for women because of their longer life expectancy and higher incidence of falls compared to men. The objective of this study was to construct the percentile box charts and determine the values of reference for the accelerometric assessment of the static balance in women. For this, an observational and cross-sectional study with a sample composed of 496 women (68.8 ± 10.4 years old) was conducted. The measurement of accelerations used a triaxial accelerometer during three tests: two tests on the ground in monopodal support and a test on a mat with monopodal support for 30 s each. In all of the variables, an increase in the magnitude of the accelerations was detected as the age advanced. The box charts of the percentiles of the tests show the amplitude of the interquartile ranges, which increased as the age advanced. The values obtained can be used to assess changes in static balance due to aging, trauma and orthopaedic and neurodegenerative alterations that may alter postural stability and increase the risk of falling.
Highlights
Each year, one in three adults over 65 years of age and one in two over 80 years of age will suffer a fall [1,2]
The box charts of the percentiles of the tests show the amplitude of the interquartile ranges, which increased as the age advanced
Falls cause moderate to severe injuries in 30% of cases; in the elderly, this results in fractures, functional deterioration, a reduction of physical activity levels, premature entry into residential care institutions, fear of falling and even death [3,4,5]
Summary
One in three adults over 65 years of age and one in two over 80 years of age will suffer a fall [1,2]. The identification of factors that alter postural stability is fundamental in the design of interventions to maintain independence and mobility. This is especially important for women because of their longer life expectancy and higher incidence of falls compared to men [7]. Postural control is related to the centre of gravity (CG), which, according to Mapelli et al [8], is the result of the multi-segmental conception of equilibrium. That is, it is the conception of the body as a system of rigid bodies whose CG is the average of all of the centres of mass of these segments, a definition that follows the line proposed by Hogdes et al [9]. CG control is part of the requirements for the maintenance of balance during activities of daily life, which include fundamental
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