Young and older adults adapt automatic postural responses equivalently to repetitive perturbations but are unable to use predictive cueing to optimize recovery of balance stability

Author(s)

Coelho, Daniel Boari ^{[1, 2]} ; Silva, Marina Brito ^[1] ; de Lima-Pardini, Andrea Cristina ^[3] ; Martinelli, Alessandra Rezende ^[1] ; Baptista, Thais da Silva ^[1] ; Ramos, Renato Teodoro ^[4] ; Teixeira, Luis Augusto ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Human Motor Syst Lab, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Fed Univ ABC, Biomed Engn, Sao Bernardo Do Campo - Brazil

^[3] Fed Univ ABC, Ctr Math Computat & Cognit, Sao Bernardo Do Campo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Psychiat, Fac Med, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Neuroscience Letters; v. 685, p. 167-172, OCT 15 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Processing of contextual cues has been proposed to modulate the generation of automatic postural responses to unanticipated balance perturbations. In this investigation, we compared young and older individuals in responses to sudden rotations of the support base inducing either planti- or dorsiflexion of the ankles. Assessment was made in conditions resulting from the combination of visual directional cueing of the forthcoming platform rotation, and block versus random sequences of platform rotation directions. Results showed that, for both rotation directions, the block sequence led to reduced magnitude of activation of distal agonist muscles and direction-specific modulation of ground reaction forces to recover body balance. Visual directional cueing, conversely, failed to modulate either muscular responses or forces applied to the support base through the feet for balance recovery. Effects were similar between ages, suggesting that aging does not increase the influence of cognition on the generation of automatic postural responses, and that adaptation to repeated postural perturbations over trials is preserved in healthy older individuals. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/00307-0 - Central organization in the generation of anticipatory and reactive postural adjustments in the elderly
• Grantee: Marina Brito Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 11/20265-3 - Central organization in generating anticipatory and reactive postural adjustments in the elderly
• Grantee: Luis Augusto Teixeira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants