Childhood Cognition and Age-Related Change in Standing Balance Performance From Mid to Later Life: Findings From a British Birth Cohort

Abstract Background Cognitive processing plays a crucial role in the integration of sensory input and motor output that facilitates balance. However, whether balance ability in adulthood is influenced by cognitive pathways established in childhood is unclear, especially as no study has examined if these relationships change with age. We aimed to investigate associations between childhood cognition and age-related change in standing balance between mid and later life. Methods Data on 2,380 participants from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development were included in analyses. Repeated measures multilevel models estimated the association between childhood cognition, assessed at age 15, and log-transformed balance time, assessed at ages 53, 60–64, and 69 using the one-legged stand with eyes closed. Adjustments were made for sex, death, attrition, anthropometric measures, health conditions, health behaviors, education, other indicators of socioeconomic position (SEP), and adult verbal memory. Results In a sex-adjusted model, 1 standard deviation increase in childhood cognition was associated with a 13% (95% confidence interval: 10, 16; p < .001) increase in balance time at age 53, and this association got smaller with age (cognition × age interaction: p < .001). Adjustments for education, adult verbal memory, and SEP largely explained these associations. Conclusions Higher childhood cognition was associated with better balance performance in midlife, with diminishing associations with increasing age. The impact of adjustment for education, cognition and other indicators of SEP suggested a common pathway through which cognition is associated with balance across life. Further research is needed to understand underlying mechanisms, which may have important implications for falls risk and maintenance of physical capability.

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ARE THERE BIDIRECTIONAL ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN COGNITION AND BALANCE ABILITY: EVIDENCE FROM A BRITISH BIRTH COHORT

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2268 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S609-S609

Author(s):

Joanna M Blodgett ◽

Rachel Cooper ◽

Daniel Davis ◽

Diana Kuh ◽

Rebecca Hardy

Keyword(s):

Birth Cohort ◽

Cognitive Processing ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Later Life ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Age Related ◽

Bidirectional Association ◽

Search Speed ◽

Bidirectional Associations

Abstract Age-related changes in cognitive and balance abilities are well-established, as is their correlation with one another. There is, however, limited evidence regarding the directionality of associations and whether or not common biological processes may underlie their age-related declines. The main aim was to explore bidirectional associations between balance and cognitive abilities in mid-later life using data from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development, the 1946 British birth cohort (n=2735). Cognition was assessed at ages 43, 53, 60-64 and 69 with verbal memory and search speed tasks. One-legged standing balance time (eyes closed) was assessed at ages 53, 60-64 and 69. Two autoregressive cross-lagged models simultaneously assessed bidirectional associations of balance with verbal memory and search speed over time. Results suggest a unidirectional association between verbal memory and subsequent balance in both sexes, decreasing with age from 0.14 SD balance (95%CI: 0.10,0.17) per 1SD verbal memory to 0.06 (0.01,0.10) to 0.05 (0.01,0.09). Search speed at age 43 was associated with balance at age 53 [men: 0.11(0.06,0.16); women: 0.09 (0.03,0.13)]; additionally, in men, there was evidence of a bidirectional association between ages 60-64 and 69 [balance to search speed: 0.05 (0.00,0.10); search speed to balance: 0.09 (0.02,0.16)]. These findings support the notion that successful balance relies mainly upon cognitive processing to successfully integrate vestibular, visual and proprioceptive input with motor output. Including a cognitive component in balance and fall risk intervention programs could have an additive benefit in improving neural pathways involved in balance and thus reducing fall risk.

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Age-Related Changes in Standing Balance in Preschoolers Using Traditional and Nonlinear Methods

Frontiers in Physiology ◽

10.3389/fphys.2021.625553 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Zengming Hao ◽

Yi Yang ◽

Anke Hua ◽

Ying Gao ◽

Jian Wang

Keyword(s):

Time Scales ◽

Control Strategy ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Standing Balance ◽

Fluctuation Analysis ◽

Balance Performance ◽

Nonlinear Methods ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Changes

Considerable disagreement exists on the linearity of the development of standing balance in children. This study aimed to use different traditional and nonlinear methods to investigate age-related changes in standing balance in preschoolers. A sample of 118 preschoolers took part in this study. A force platform was used to record the center of pressure during standing balance over 15 s in three conditions: eyes open, eyes closed, and/or head extended backward. Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), recurrence quantification analysis (RQA), and traditional measures were used to evaluate standing balance. The main results are as follows: (1) Higher range and SD in the anterior-posterior (AP) direction were observed for 5-year-old than for 4-year-old children, while higher DFA coefficient (at shorter time scales) and higher determinism and laminarity in the AP direction were found for 5-year-old children compared to 3- and 4-year-old children; and (2) as sensory conditions became more challenging, all traditional measures increased and DFA coefficients (at shorter and longer time scales) decreased in the AP and mediolateral directions, while determinism and laminarity significantly declined in the AP direction. In conclusion, although increased postural sway, 5-year-old preschool children’s balance performance improved, and their control strategy changed significantly compared with the younger preschoolers. Sensory perturbation (eye closure and/or head extension) changed preschoolers’ balance performance and control strategy. Moreover, both traditional and nonlinear methods provided complementary information on the control of standing balance in preschoolers.

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Approximate Entropy of Brain Network in the Study of Hemispheric Differences

Entropy ◽

10.3390/e22111220 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (11) ◽

pp. 1220

Author(s):

Francesca Alù ◽

Francesca Miraglia ◽

Alessandro Orticoni ◽

Elda Judica ◽

Maria Cotelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Networks ◽

Approximate Entropy ◽

Brain Network ◽

Hemispheric Differences ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Age Related ◽

Eeg Recordings ◽

The Right ◽

The Impact ◽

Adult Volunteers

Human brain, a dynamic complex system, can be studied with different approaches, including linear and nonlinear ones. One of the nonlinear approaches widely used in electroencephalographic (EEG) analyses is the entropy, the measurement of disorder in a system. The present study investigates brain networks applying approximate entropy (ApEn) measure for assessing the hemispheric EEG differences; reproducibility and stability of ApEn data across separate recording sessions were evaluated. Twenty healthy adult volunteers were submitted to eyes-closed resting EEG recordings, for 80 recordings. Significant differences in the occipital region, with higher values of entropy in the left hemisphere than in the right one, show that the hemispheres become active with different intensities according to the performed function. Besides, the present methodology proved to be reproducible and stable, when carried out on relatively brief EEG epochs but also at a 1-week distance in a group of 36 subjects. Nonlinear approaches represent an interesting probe to study the dynamics of brain networks. ApEn technique might provide more insight into the pathophysiological processes underlying age-related brain disconnection as well as for monitoring the impact of pharmacological and rehabilitation treatments.

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Socio-economic disadvantage and poverty

Mental Health in Later Life ◽

10.1332/policypress/9781447305729.003.0006 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 105-114

Author(s):

Alisoun Milne

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Later Life ◽

Poverty Line ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Economic Disadvantage ◽

Fundamental Building Block ◽

Age Related ◽

The Uk ◽

State Pension ◽

The Impact

Chapter 5 is the first of three chapters exploring the impact of age related risks affecting particular sub populations of older people. Socioeconomic disadvantage in later life tends to reflect a lifecourse status. It amplifies what is already present. In 2016/17 one million older people were living in poverty; an additional 1.2 million were living just above the poverty line. These numbers are rising. Those aged 85 years or over, frail older people, older women and single older people are particularly at risk. Poor older people are also more likely to live in poor housing and be exposed to fuel poverty. Being poor - and its concomitants - compromises mental health in a number of profound ways. It undermines an older person’s capacity to make choices, retain independence, save for a crisis, maintain social contacts and be digitally included. It is linked with worry, loss of control over life and shame. Poor older people are at heightened risk of isolation and loneliness, stress, anxiety and depression. The UK has a weak policy record, compared with other developed countries, of sustainably and coherently addressing poverty in later life. One of the cornerstones of doing so is a continued commitment to the basic state pension as a fundamental building block of a secure old age. Addressing poor housing is also pivotal.

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Differential effects of age at illness onset on verbal memory functions in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients aged 12–43 years

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291720000409 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Birgitte Fagerlund ◽

Christos Pantelis ◽

Jens Richardt Møllegaard Jepsen ◽

Jayachandra Mitta Raghava ◽

Egill Rostrup ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Verbal Memory ◽

Late Onset ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Verbal Working Memory ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

First Episode ◽

Significant Group ◽

Illness Onset ◽

Age Related ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background The typical onset of schizophrenia coincides with the maturational peak in cognition; however, for a significant proportion of patients the onset is before age 18 and after age 30 years. While cognitive deficits are considered core features of schizophrenia, few studies have directly examined the impact of age of illness onset on cognition. Methods The aim of the study was to examine if the effects of age on cognition differ between healthy controls (HCs) and patients with schizophrenia at illness onset. We examined 156 first-episode antipsychotic-naïve patients across a wide age span (12–43 years), and 161 age- and sex-matched HCs. Diagnoses were made according to ICD-10 criteria. Cognition was assessed using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS), and IQ was estimated using subtests from the Wechsler adult- or child-intelligence scales. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to examine linear and quadratic effects of age on cognitive scores and interactions by group, including sex and parental socioeconomic status as covariates. Results There was a significant overall effect of age on BACS and IQ (p < 0.001). Significant group-by-age interactions for verbal memory (for age-squared, p = 0.009), and digit sequencing (for age, p = 0.01; age-squared, p < 0.001), indicated differential age-related trajectories between patients and HCs. Conclusions Cognitive functions showing protracted maturation into adulthood, such as verbal memory and verbal working memory, may be particularly impaired in both early- and late-schizophrenia onset. Our findings indicate a potential interaction between the timing of neurodevelopmental maturation and a possible premature age effect in late-onset schizophrenia.

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Evaluation of Standing Balance Performance in Indian Classical Dancers

Journal of Dance Medicine & Science ◽

10.12678/1089-313x.24.1.19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 19-23

Author(s):

Juhi K. Bharnuke ◽

Rajani P. Mullerpatan ◽

Claire Hiller

Keyword(s):

Dual Task ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Standing Balance ◽

Balance Performance ◽

Classical Dance ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Eyes Open ◽

Second Dual ◽

Indian Classical Dance ◽

Base Of Support

Indian classical dance involves a constant change of the base of support from stance to low jumps and spins along with intricate footwork. Graceful movement of the torso, shifting from side to side and turning around the axis of the spine, challenges balance. Yet, balance performance remains unexplored in Indian classical dancers. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the standing balance of 36 active female dancers (18 to 25 years of age) who had performed Indian classical dance for a minimum of 10 years with 36 healthy age-matched women not involved in regular physical activity. Balance was evaluated in static and dynamic conditions of single and dual-limb stance on a force plate using center-of-pressure trajectory and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Dancers demonstrated better balance on both instrumented and non-instrumented outcome variables: wide base of support with eyes open and with eyes closed; for 30-second single limb stance with eyes open and with eyes closed; for 13-second dual task in single limb stance; and for 22-second dual task in wide base of support. The SEBT revealed significantly better balance performance of dancers in the three directions tested: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral. There was also a strength component of the study on which the dancers achieved significantly higher scores than controls for the three muscle groups tested (gastrocsoleus, gluteus medius, and quadriceps), which can be attributed to their training. These findings can be used to recommend classical dance training to achieve the dual purpose of deriving better balance and stronger bodies and maintaining the Indian dance heritage.

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The Multivariate Largest Lyapunov Exponent as an Age-Related Metric of Quiet Standing Balance

Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/309756 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kun Liu ◽

Hongrui Wang ◽

Jinzhuang Xiao

Keyword(s):

Lyapunov Exponent ◽

Multivariate Time Series ◽

Standing Balance ◽

Quiet Standing ◽

Largest Lyapunov Exponent ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Age Related ◽

Different Ages ◽

Balance Ability ◽

The Largest Lyapunov Exponent

The largest Lyapunov exponent has been researched as a metric of the balance ability during human quiet standing. However, the sensitivity and accuracy of this measurement method are not good enough for clinical use. The present research proposes a metric of the human body’s standing balance ability based on the multivariate largest Lyapunov exponent which can quantify the human standing balance. The dynamic multivariate time series of ankle, knee, and hip were measured by multiple electrical goniometers. Thirty-six normal people of different ages participated in the test. With acquired data, the multivariate largest Lyapunov exponent was calculated. Finally, the results of the proposed approach were analysed and compared with the traditional method, for which the largest Lyapunov exponent and power spectral density from the centre of pressure were also calculated. The following conclusions can be obtained. The multivariate largest Lyapunov exponent has a higher degree of differentiation in differentiating balance in eyes-closed conditions. The MLLE value reflects the overall coordination between multisegment movements. Individuals of different ages can be distinguished by their MLLE values. The standing stability of human is reduced with the increment of age.

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The Impact of a Submaximal Level of Exercise on Balance Performance in Older Persons

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2014/986252 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Hani Asilah Alias ◽

Maria Justine

Keyword(s):

Sensory Integration ◽

Older Persons ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Rank Test ◽

Clinical Test ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Balance Performance ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Soft Surface ◽

The Impact

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a submaximal level of exercise on balance performance under a variety of conditions.Material and Method. Thirteen community-dwelling older persons with intact foot sensation (age = 66.69 ± 8.17 years, BMI = 24.65 ± 4.08 kg/m2, female,n=6) volunteered to participate. Subjects’ balance performances were measured using the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration of Balance (mCTSIB) at baseline and after test, under four conditions of stance: (1) eyes-opened firm-surface (EOF), (2) eyes-closed firm-surface (ECF), (3) eyes-opened soft-surface (EOS), and (4) eyes-closed soft-surface (ECS). The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) protocol was used to induce the submaximal level of exercise. Data was analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test.Results. Balance changes during EOF (z=0.00,P=1.00) and ECF (z=-1.342,P=0.180) were not significant. However, balance changes during EOS (z=-2.314,P=0.021) and ECS (z=-3.089,P=0.02) were significantly dropped after the 6MWT.Conclusion. A submaximal level of exercise may influence sensory integration that in turn affects balance performance, particularly on an unstable surface. Rehabilitation should focus on designing intervention that may improve sensory integration among older individuals with balance deterioration in order to encourage functional activities.

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Postural Balance Ability and the Effect of Visual Restriction on Older Dancers and Non-Dancers

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living ◽

10.3389/fspor.2021.707567 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Maria-Elissavet Nikolaidou ◽

Vasilios Karfis ◽

Maria Koutsouba ◽

Arno Schroll ◽

Adamantios Arampatzis

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Postural Balance ◽

Path Length ◽

Performance Test ◽

Control Group ◽

Quiet Stance ◽

Balance Performance ◽

Visual Channel ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Eyes Open

Dance has been suggested to be an advantageous exercise modality for improving postural balance performance and reducing the risk of falls in the older population. The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether visual restriction impacts older dancers and non-dancers differently during a quiet stance balance performance test. We hypothesized higher balance performance and greater balance deterioration due to visual restriction in dancers compared with non-dancers, indicating the superior contribution of the visual channel in the expected higher balance performances of dancers. Sixty-nine (38 men, 31 women, 74 ± 6 years) healthy older adults participated and were grouped into a Greek traditional dance group (n = 31, two to three times/week for 1.5 h/session, minimum of 3 years) and a non-dancer control group (n = 38, no systematic exercise history). The participants completed an assessment of one-legged quiet stance trials using both left and right legs and with eyes open while standing barefoot on a force plate (Wii, A/D converter, 1,000 Hz; Biovision) and two-legged trials with both eyes open and closed. The possible differences in the anthropometric and one-legged balance parameters were examined by a univariate ANOVA with group and sex as fixed factors. This ANOVA was performed using the same fixed factors and vision as the repeated measures factor for the two-legged balance parameters. In the one-legged task, the dance group showed significantly lower values in anteroposterior and mediolateral sway amplitudes (p = 0.001 and p = 0.035) and path length measured in both directions (p = 0.001) compared with the non-dancers. In the two-legged stance, we found a significant vision effect on path length (p < 0.001) and anteroposterior amplitude (p < 0.001), whereas mediolateral amplitude did not differ significantly (p = 0.439) between closed and open eyes. The dance group had a significantly lower CoP path length (p = 0.006) and anteroposterior (p = 0.001) and mediolateral sway amplitudes (p = 0.003) both in the eyes-open and eyes-closed trials compared with the control group. The superior balance performance in the two postural tasks found in the dancers is possibly the result of the coordinated, aesthetically oriented intersegmental movements, including alternations between one- and two-legged stance phases, that comes with dance. Visual restriction resulted in a similar deterioration of balance performance in both groups, thus suggesting that the contribution of the visual channel alone cannot explain the superior balance performance of dancers.

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The Impact of Aging on Spatial Abilities in Deaf Users of a Sign Language

The Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education ◽

10.1093/deafed/enaa034 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Stéphanie Luna ◽

Sven Joubert ◽

Marion Blondel ◽

Carlo Cecchetto ◽

Jean-Pierre Gagné

Keyword(s):

Sign Language ◽

Cognitive Processing ◽

Cognitive Processes ◽

Language Production ◽

Spoken Language ◽

Spatial Abilities ◽

Age Related ◽

Spatial Tasks ◽

Physical Changes ◽

The Impact

Abstract Research involving the general population of people who use a spoken language to communicate has demonstrated that older adults experience cognitive and physical changes associated with aging. Notwithstanding the differences in the cognitive processes involved in sign and spoken languages, it is possible that aging can also affect cognitive processing in deaf signers. This research aims to explore the impact of aging on spatial abilities among sign language users. Results showed that younger signers were more accurate than older signers on all spatial tasks. Therefore, the age-related impact on spatial abilities found in the older hearing population can be generalized to the population of signers. Potential implications for sign language production and comprehension are discussed.

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