Assessment of balance semi-static in elderly aged below and above eighty years of age

• Grant number: 16/07698-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2016
• End date: July 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Daniela Cristina Carvalho de Abreu
• Grantee: Isabella Camargo Alvarenga
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Falls among the elderly are a major public health concern because they can lead to potentially serious consequences, so it is essential to understand the risk factors to prevent them. The risk of falls in the elderly over 80 years old increase 50% when compared to older than 65 years. However, little is known about the semi-static balance of elderly above 80 years to understand what differentiates them from younger elderly and the relationship with the history of falls with advancing age. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare the semi-static balance of elderly aged below and above 80 years of age. The elderly will be divided into two groups: G1 (n = 40) that include individuals aged below 80 years and G2 (n = 40) which include the elderly over the age of 80 years. The elderly will be evaluated through questionnaires on history of falls and fear of falling and IPAQ-Short Form questionnaire to assess the level of physical activity. In addition, the semi-static balance will be evaluated by force platform in 7 different positions: 1) bipedal position on flat surface with eyes open, 2) bipedal position on flat surface with eyes closed, 3) bipedal position on unstable surface with eyes open, 4) bipedal position on unstable surface with closed eyes, 5) tandem position with open eyes, 6) semitandem position with eyes open, 7) single leg stance with eyes open. The variables will be the sway amplitude and the sway speed of mediolateral and anteroposterior of pressure center. All statistical analyzes will be performed using SPSS (SPSS for Windows - Version 16.0 - SPSS Inc.,) and will be adopted significance level of 5% (p d 0.05). The results are expressed as mean and standard deviation. (AU)