Abstract
This cross sectional study focused on how Postural Stability (PS) indicators: body sway deviation (BSD) and body sway velocity (BSV), change with age and their association with levels of social and physical activity. Observational study: 80 older adults (aged: 60-96) were purposefully recruited from two sources: the University of the Third Age (TAU) (n = 35) and a residential care home (CH) (n = 45). Differences in the indicators of PS, approximated through Centre of Pressure (COP) measurements, were assessed by the Romberg Stance Test (Test A) subsequently repeated on 10 cm foam surface (Test B), using a Kistler Dynamometric Platform. The RCH Group was older, had higher BMI and was less socially and physically active, showed more body sway in all indicators compared to TAU group. For all participants body sway velocity (BSV) was significantly correlated with age. The strength of correlation of body sway deviation (BSD) with age was also significant but not as strong. The findings indicate in line with previous studies that deterioration in BSV is associated with poor PS more than deterioration in BSD.
Highlights
Ageing is affected by many physiological and pathological variables such as genes, lifestyle, and chronic disease, which interact in multiple ways, influencing the manner in which aging occurs [1]
The Group from the Care Home was in average older, had higher BMI and showed higher body sway (BS) values in all indicators of Postural stability (PS) compared to the University of the Third Age group (Tab 1)
PS in the Residential Care Home group was significantly worse than the results of the Third Age University group
Summary
Ageing is affected by many physiological and pathological variables such as genes, lifestyle, and chronic disease, which interact in multiple ways, influencing the manner in which aging occurs [1]. When lacking physical activity older people are more likely to develop severe muscle atrophy, resulting often in Sarcopenia [8, 9] and a progressive substitution of muscle fibres by connective tissues [10]. This affects muscle strength, flexibility, coordination and may result in an overall deterioration of PS [11], highly increasing the overall risk of falling [12], hospitalization and many other (physical as well as psychological) complications [13]
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