Postural control performance of active and inactive older adults during manipulation of sensory information tests: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Inactivity during the aging process negatively influences postural control.

AIM: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the postural balance of active and inactive elderly women in situations involving manipulation of sensory systems.

METHOD: The study included 20 elderly women (10 active and 10 inactive) with a mean age of 63.45 ± 2.37 years, who underwent postural balance assessment using a force platform in the six conditions of the Sensory Organization Test. For comparison between groups, the Student's t-test and Mann-Witney test were used. Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups for the three balance variables analyzed: Center of pressure displacement in the anteroposterior direction (COPap), in the mediolateral direction (COPml) and average speed (COPvel).

RESULTS: In situations in which the somatosensory system was not disturbed, as Sensory Organization Test (TOS) I, II and III, it was observed that active elderly women presented smaller COPap and COPml than inactive, however, in tests in which the somatosensory system was disturbed, due to the addition of a cushion between the platform and the individual's feet (TOS IV, V and VI), this difference was not observed. Furthermore, active elderly present higher COP displacement average speed than inactive elderly in almost all sensory tests (TOS I, III IV, V and VI).

CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that active elderly presented reduced dependence of visual inputs and improved somatosensory afferences when compared to inactive elderly and that active elderly presented higher COP average displacement speed than inactive elderly.