Impact of Aging on Balance and Pattern of Muscle Activation in Elderly Women from Different Age Groups

Author(s)

Gomes, Matheus M. ^[1] ; Reis, Julia G. ^[1] ; Neves, Thamires M. ^[1] ; Petrella, Marina ^[1] ; de Abreu, Daniela C. C. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Biomech Med & Rehabil Locomotor Syst, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: International Journal of Gerontology; v. 7, n. 2, p. 106-111, JUN 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Background: Aging causes deterioration in the sensory systems and changes the pattern of muscle activation, which impairs balance in elderly individuals compared to young adults. A few studies have investigated the influence of such changes throughout the aging process by analyzing the postural control at different age. The aim of this study is to evaluate static and dynamic balance as well as the pattern of muscle activation in elderly women from different age groups. Methods: A total of 57 women were divided into three groups according to their age: Group 1 (n = 17) 60-64 years, Group 2 (n = 20) 65-69 years and Group 3 (n = 20) 70-74 years. The pattern of muscle activation in the lower limbs (vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius lateralis muscles), displacement and velocity of center of pressure were analyzed during static posture and during the tasks of standing up from a seated position and sitting down from a standing position. Results: The results showed no differences between the groups in terms of balance or pattern of muscle activation. The women from the three age groups presented similar displacement and velocity of center of pressure and pattern of muscle activation during static posture and during the tasks of standing up from a seated position and sitting down from a standing position. Conclusion: The postural control performed by elderly women is not entirely related to their age. Copyright (c) 2012, Taiwan Society of Geriatric Emergency \& Critical Care Medicine. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/09449-2 - INFLUENCE OF MUSCLE STRENGTH AND POWER ON STATIC AND DYNAMIC BALANCE OF ELDERLY WOMEN
• Grantee: Matheus Machado Gomes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 10/12136-6 - Assessment of ground reaction force and lower limb strength in elderly women with and without osteoarthritis of the knee
• Grantee: Thamires Máximo Neves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 07/07606-0 - Evaluation of Static and Dynamic balance and biomechanical aspects in women aged 60-74 years
• Grantee: Daniela Cristina Carvalho de Abreu
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants