Gender differences in postural stability in elderly people under institutional care.

Purpose: The aim of the research was to assess the postural stability indicators of older women and men receiving i nstitutional care.

Methods: The study involved 123 people aged 65-85, living in residential care homes in Rzeszów district. The main research tool was the CQ-Stab 2P 2-platform posturograph.

Results: There were statistically significant differences between women and men in the total statokinesiogram path length, the statokinesiogram path length in the anteroposterior direction, the mean COP displacement in the anteroposterior direction as well as the mean velocity of the COP point in the anteroposterior direction under eye control (p = 0.04). In the case of absence of visual control, men were characterized by significantly worse parameters in the area of mean COP displacement in the anteroposterior and lateral directions as well as the maximal COP displacement in the anteroposterior and lateral directions. It indicated that without visual control, body balance parameters in men significantly worsened along with increasing age. A statistically significant difference was found between both genders in terms of the statokinesiogram path length, the mean COP displacement and the mean COP velocity (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Gender differences in postural stability of older people under institutional care were noticed. Men were characterized by a lower level of postural stability compared to women. Elimination of visual control significantly worsened the balance of the body. The results obtained indicate the necessity of introducing therapeutic programs in nursing homes, taking proprioceptive exercises and exercises without visual input into account.