Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (75)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by PYYKKO, I.
Right arrow Articles by AALTO, H.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by PYYKKO, I.
Right arrow Articles by AALTO, H.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

© 1990 Oxford University Press

research-article

Postural Control in Elderly Subjects

ILMARI PYYKKO1, PIRKKO JANTTI2 and HEIKKI AALTO3

1Department of Otolaryngology,University Hospital of Helsinki Haartmaninkatu 2-4H,SF-00290 Helsinki, Finland
2Department of Geriatric Medicine,Tampere City Hospital
3Institute of Occupational Health Helsinki

The postural stability of 23 subjects aged 85 years or over was studied with a force platform. The sensory function of the lower limbs was disturbed with small vibrators placed on both calf muscles and/or by placing the subjects on a platform covered with foam plastic. When compared with a group (n= 100) of 50–60-year-old subjects, the elderly subjects had significantly higher sway velocities even during non-perturbed conditions. The perturbation of muscle spindles with vibration and/or pressoreceptor function with foam plastic did not increase the postural instability of the elderly subjects. Visual deprivation had a significant effect on postural stability, and the visual influx contributed about 50% of the postural stability. Postural control is reduced as a result of loss of sensory cues of pressoreceptors and also deterioration in function of stretch reflexes initiated from muscle spindles. The very elderly seem to rely on visual control of posture; this is slow, which can be one reason for susceptibility to falls.

Revision received October 5, 1989.
Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Lighting Research and TechnologyHome page
M. Figueiro, L. Gras, R. Qi, P. Rizzo, M. Rea, and M. Rea
A novel night lighting system for postural control and stability in seniors
Lighting Research and Technology, June 1, 2008; 40(2): 111 - 126.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Age AgeingHome page
M. Baccini, L. A. Rinaldi, G. Federighi, L. Vannucchi, M. Paci, and G. Masotti
Effectiveness of fingertip light contact in reducing postural sway in older people
Age Ageing, January 1, 2007; 36(1): 30 - 35.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ptjournalHome page
O. Pyoria, P. Era, and U. Talvitie
Relationships Between Standing Balance and Symmetry Measurements in Patients Following Recent Strokes (<=3 Weeks) or Older Strokes (>=6 Months)
Physical Therapy, February 1, 2004; 84(2): 128 - 136.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci.Home page
C. Y. Ho and A. P. Bendrups
Ankle Reflex Stiffness During Unperceived Perturbation of Standing in Elderly Subjects
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., September 1, 2002; 57(9): B344 - 350.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 AJGPHome page
D. C. Mamo, B. G. Pollock, B. Mulsant, P. R. Houck, S. Bensasi, M. C. Miller, M. S. Redfern, and C. F. Reynolds III
Effects of Nortriptyline and Paroxetine on Postural Sway in Depressed Elderly Patients
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, April 1, 2002; 10(2): 199 - 205.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Clin RehabilHome page
T. M Kuukkanen and E. A Malkia
An experimental controlled study on postural sway and therapeutic exercise in subjects with low back pain
Clinical Rehabilitation, February 1, 2000; 14(2): 192 - 202.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.