Background: Recently, several studies have reported age-associated increases in muscle coactivation during postural control. A rigid posture induced by strong muscle coactivation reduces the degree of freedom to be organized by the postural control system. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of balance training on muscle coactivation during postural control in older adults.
Methods: Forty-eight subjects were randomized into an intervention (mean age: 81.0 ± 6.9 years) and a control group (mean age: 81.6 ± 6.4 years). The control group did not receive any intervention. Postural control ability (postural sway during quiet standing, functional reach, and functional stability boundary) was assessed before and after the intervention. A cocontraction index was measured during the postural control tasks to assess muscle coactivation.
Results: Cocontraction index values in the intervention group significantly decreased following the intervention phase for functional reach (p < .0125). Cocontraction index values had a tendency to decrease during functional stability boundary for forward and quiet standing tasks. Functional improvements were observed in some of the tasks after the intervention, that is, functional reach, functional stability boundary for forward, one-leg stance, and timed up and go (p < .05).
Conclusions: Our study raised the possibility that balance training for older adults was associated with decreases in muscle coactivation during postural control. Postural control exercise could potentially lead older adults to develop more efficient postural control strategies without increasing muscle coactivation. Further research is needed to clarify in greater detail the effects of changes in muscle coactivation.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glr252 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Pendulum model to compare center of pressure data between different force plates.
Gait Posture
January 2025
Saarland University, Im Stadtwald B8.2, Saarbrücken D-66123, Germany; Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845, United States. Electronic address:
Background: Force plates are used to measure postural control. However, force plates differ with regard to the type of sensors and the position of the sensors. The purpose of the study was to introduce a method for testing the comparability of two force plates with different force transducers regarding their center of pressure (CoP) capturing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcute effects of voluntary breathing patterns on postural control during walking.
Hum Mov Sci
January 2025
Sports Physical Therapy Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. Electronic address:
Introduction: Breathing and postural control is reported to be both neuromuscularly and mechanically interdependent. To date, the effects of voluntary abdominal and thoracic breathing (VAB and VTB) on the EMG activity of muscles involved in both respiratory and postural functions, as well as gait biomechanics related to these breathing patterns, have not been investigated in young, healthy adults. The aim of the study was to evaluate the EMG responses of neck and trunk muscles, as well as the kinematic, stability, and kinetic parameters of gait induced by VAB and VTB compared to involuntary breathing (INB).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStair-descent phenotypes in community-dwelling older adults determined using high-level balance tasks.
Aging Clin Exp Res
January 2025
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.
Background: Falls on stairs are a major cause of severe injuries among older adults, with stair descent posing significantly greater risks than ascent. Variations in stair descent phenotypes may reflect differences in physical function and biomechanical stability, and their identification may prevent falls.
Aims: This study aims to classify stair descent phenotypes in older adults and investigate the biomechanical and physical functional differences between these phenotypes using hierarchical cluster analysis.
Effects of an external load on anticipatory mechanisms of handstand walking initiation in experienced gymnasts.
J Sports Sci
January 2025
Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.
Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) are responsible for a successful first step execution in handstand walking. This study evaluates gymnasts' ability to adapt their APAs and stepping parameters in response to adding/removing an external load over repeated handstand walking initiation trials. Eighteen gymnasts performed five handstand walking initiation trials without load (PRE), eight trials with an external load (LOAD) and five trials with removed load (POST).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGraphene oxide scaffolds promote functional improvements mediated by scaffold-invading axons in thoracic transected rats.
Bioact Mater
May 2025
Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Calle Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
Millions of patients and their caretakers live and deal with the devastating consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI) worldwide. Despite outstanding advances in the field to both understand and tackle these pathologies, a cure for SCI patients, with their peculiar characteristics, is still a mirage. One of the most promising therapeutic strategies to date for these patients involves the use of epidural electrical stimulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!