Background: Postural control associated with self-paced movement is critical for balance in older adults. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a virtual reality-based program on the postural control associated with rapid arm movement in this population.
Methods: From an upright standing position, participants performed rapid arm-raising movements toward a target. Practice-related changes were assessed by pre- and posttest comparisons of hand kinematics and center of pressure displacement parameters measured in a training group (mean age: 71.50 ± 2.67 years, n = 8) and a control group (mean age: 72.87 ± 3.09 years, n = 8). Training group participants took part in six sessions (35-40 minutes per session, three sessions per week). During the two test sessions, arm raising was analyzed under two conditions of stimuli: choice reaction time and simple reaction time.
Results: We observed improvements in the arm movement after training under both conditions of stimuli. The initial phase of the center of pressure displacement, especially the anticipatory postural adjustments, was improved in the choice reaction time condition.
Conclusions: Our short training program resulted in motor optimization of the postural control associated with rapid arm movements, and this implies central changes in motor programming.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glr148 | DOI Listing |
Disabil Rehabil
January 2025
Department of Physiotherapy, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
Purpose: To synthesize evidence regarding psychometric properties of the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) in assessing postural control.
Method: Six databases were searched until October 15th, 2024. Two authors independently assessed the methodological quality and results of studies using the COSMIN checklist and Terweés criteria.
Front Physiol
January 2025
Human Physiology Section of the Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università Degli Studi, Milano, Italy.
Introduction: Prolonged or strenuous exercise leads to a temporary decrease in muscle function and performance, which interferes with activity of both prime movers and postural muscles. This effect of fatigue has been reported both for single segment movements and for locomotion. However, little is known regarding the effects of fatigue on anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) during gait initiation, a task in which the control of focal movement should be strictly coupled to a feedforward control of posture.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMed Sci Monit
January 2025
Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungdong University, Gangwon, South Korea.
BACKGROUND Remote exercise have emerged as a promising solution to overcome barriers to physical activity participation in pre-frail older adults, such as limited mobility and accessibility issues. Pre-frail older adults often face barriers to physical activity due to limited mobility and accessibility, underscoring the need for remote exercise alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of remote versus in-person exercise in improving physical function in pre-frail older adults.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Musculoskelet Disord
January 2025
The Nick Davey Laboratory, Division of Surgery, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Sir Michael Uren Hub, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
Background: People with joint hypermobility have excessive joint flexibility, which is more common in young women. The people with symptomatic hypermobility report poor balance and even falls. This scoping review aims to identify and map the available evidence related to balance and falling in adults with joint hypermobility to support research planning and ideas for treatment direction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAustralas J Ageing
March 2025
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University - Alexander Campus, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Objectives: To determine the safety and efficacy of a video-supported Cawthorne-Cooksey exercise program (CCEP) in improving balance, dizziness and decreasing fear of falling in older adults with balance deficits and dizziness.
Methods: Thirty-two older adults were divided into two groups (intervention and control). The intervention group followed a video-supported CCEP group, while the control group received written instructions to maintain their usual activity and counselling on fall prevention.
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