Age-related difference on weight transfer during unconstrained standing.

The ability to transfer weight from one lower limb to the other is essential for the execution of daily life activities and little is known about how weight transfer during unconstrained natural standing is affected by age. This study examined the weight transfer ability of elderly individuals during unconstrained standing (for 30 min) in comparison to young adults. The subjects (19 healthy elderly adults, range 65-80 years, and 19 healthy young adults, range 18-30 years) stood with each foot on a separate force plate and were allowed to change their posture freely at any time.

Postural control during prolonged standing in persons with chronic low back pain.

Prolonged standing has been associated with the onset of low back pain symptoms in working populations. So far, it is unknown how individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) behave during prolonged unconstrained standing (PS). The aim of the present study was to analyze the control of posture by subjects with CLBP during PS in comparison to matched healthy adults.

Postural sway during dual tasks in young and elderly adults.

Background: Previous studies have shown that healthy young adults are able to decrease their standing postural sway when an additional postural visual task, such as reading, is performed.

Objective: In this study, we investigated postural sway during dual tasks in young and elderly adults.

Methods: Twelve healthy active elderly adults (aged 65-75 years) and 12 healthy young adults (aged 22-39 years) participated in the study.

The use of a safety harness does not affect body sway during quiet standing.

Background: Postural sway during quiet standing reduces when somatosensorial information is provided by an active or passive "light touch" of different body parts with a surface. The contact of the safety harness with the body could induce a similar effect, leading to an undesirable side effect in the balance evaluation.

Methods: This study investigated if a safety harness system, commonly used in balance studies, affects body sway during the balance evaluation.