scholarly journals Are Static and Dynamic Postural Balance Assessments Two Sides of the Same Coin? A Cross-Sectional Study in the Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Rizzato ◽  
Antonio Paoli ◽  
Marta Andretta ◽  
Francesca Vidorin ◽  
Giuseppe Marcolin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Postural Balance ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Task Condition ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Dual Task Condition ◽  
Healthy Older Adults

The aim of this study was to investigate if the combination of static and dynamic postural balance assessments gives more accurate indications on balance performance among healthy older adults. We also aimed at studying the effect of a dual-task condition on static and dynamic postural balance control. Fifty-seven healthy older adults (age = 73.2 ± 5.0 year, height = 1.66 ± 0.08 m, and body mass = 72.8 ± 13.8 kg) completed the study. Static and dynamic balance were assessed both in single-task and dual-task conditions through a force plate and an oscillating platform. The dominant handgrip strength was also measured with a dynamometer. Pearson’s correlation revealed non-statistically significant correlations between static and dynamic balance performance. The dual-task worsened the balance performance more in the dynamic (+147.8%) than in the static (+25.10%, +43.45%, and +72.93% for ellipse area, sway path, and AP oscillations, respectively) condition (p < 0.001). A weak correlation was found between dynamic balance performance and handgrip strength both in the single (p < 0.05; r = −0.264) and dual (p < 0.05; r = −0.302) task condition. The absence of correlations between static and dynamic balance performance suggests including both static and dynamic balance tests in the assessment of postural balance alterations among older adults. Since cognitive-interference tasks exacerbated the degradation of the postural control performance, dual-task condition should also be considered in the postural balance assessment.

Effects of Cognitive and Physical Loads on Dynamic and Static Balance Performance of Healthy Older Adults Under Single-, Dual-, and Multi-task Conditions

2020 ◽  
pp. 001872082092462
Author(s):  
Hamid Allahverdipour ◽  
Iman Dianat ◽  
Galavizh Mameh ◽  
Mohammad Asghari Jafarabadi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Static Balance ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Physical Task ◽  
Task Conditions ◽  
And Control

Objective The aim of this study is to examine the effects of cognitive and physical loads on dynamic and static balance performance of healthy older adults under single-, dual-, and multi-task conditions. Background Previous studies on postural control in older adults have generally used dual-task methodology, whereas less attention has been paid to multi-task performance, despite its importance in many daily and occupational activities. Method The effects of single versus combined (dual-task and multi-task) cognitive (to speak out the name of the weekdays in a reverse order) and physical (with three levels including handling weights of 1, 2, and 3 kg in each hand) loads on dynamic and static balance performance of 42 older adults (21 males and 21 females) aged ≥60 years were examined. Dynamic and static balance measures were evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and stabilometer (sway index) tests, respectively. Results The TUG speed of female participants was generally slower than that of male participants. Age had no effect on balance performance measures. Under dual-task conditions, cognitive load decreased the dynamic balance performance, while the physical task levels had no effect. The dual-task conditions had no impact on the static balance performance. The effects of cognitive and physical loads on dynamic balance performance varied under dual- and multi-task conditions. Conclusion The findings highlight differences between dual- and multi-task protocols and add to the understanding of balance performance in older adults under cognitive and physical loads. Application The present study highlights differences between dual- and multi-task methodologies that need to be considered in future studies of balance and control in older adults.

Dynamic Stability of Older Adults Under Dual Task Paradigm During Stair Descent

Motor Control ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cui Zhang ◽  
Qipeng Song ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
Yu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dynamic Stability ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Task Condition ◽  
Dual Task Condition ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Stair Descent

Daily stair activities have become increasingly challenging for older adults with deterioration in physical and cognitive capabilities. However, the dynamic stability of older adults during stair descent under a concurrent dual-task condition remains undetermined. The gait and dynamic stability variables of 40 healthy older adults were measured under single- and dual-task conditions during stair descent. The step length, step width, and single support time did not significantly increase (p > .05) under the dual-task condition during stair descent. The medial–lateral center of mass velocity significantly increased (p < .003), whereas the medial–lateral margin of dynamic stability value significantly decreased (p < .006) at the landing and initial single support under the dual-task condition during stair descent. The self-regulatory ability of healthy older adults under the dual-task condition during stair descent was underestimated. Dual tasking displayed a positive impact on the anterior–posterior dynamic stability of healthy older adults.

scholarly journals Gait symmetry in the dual task condition as a predictor of future falls among independent older adults: a 2-year longitudinal study

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1057-1067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Gillain ◽  
Mohamed Boutaayamou ◽  
Cedric Schwartz ◽  
Nadia Dardenne ◽  
Olivier Bruyère ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Task Condition ◽  
Dual Task Condition ◽  
Gait Symmetry

scholarly journals Benefits of Cognitive Dual-Task Training on Balance Performance in Healthy Older Adults

2010 ◽  
Vol 65A (12) ◽  
pp. 1344-1352 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Z. H. Li ◽  
E. Roudaia ◽  
M. Lussier ◽  
L. Bherer ◽  
A. Leroux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Task Training ◽  
Dual Task Training

scholarly journals Dual-tasking effects on static and dynamic postural balance performance: a comparison between endurance and team sport athletes

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9765
Author(s):  
Fabio Sarto ◽  
Giorgia Cona ◽  
Francesco Chiossi ◽  
Antonio Paoli ◽  
Patrizia Bisiacchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postural Balance ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Balance Assessment ◽  
Dual Tasking ◽  
Task Conditions ◽  
External Stimuli

In sports, postural balance control has been demonstrated to be one of the limiting factors of performance and a necessary component to achieve any sport technique. Team players (TP) must process and react to multiple external stimuli while executing at the same time the skills of the game. By contrast, endurance athletes (END) must perform the same gesture repetitively without a concurrent coordination of continuous stimuli-related actions. However, END are used to facilitate their physical performance by adopting cognitive strategies while performing their sport gesture. Therefore, we aimed to investigate static and dynamic balance performance in these two types of athletes, both in single and dual-task conditions. Nineteen END and sixteen TP underwent a static and a dynamic balance assessment on a dynamometric platform and an instrumented oscillating board, respectively. Among TP static but not dynamic postural balance performance was negatively affected by dual-tasking considering the area of the confidence ellipse (p < 0.001; d = 0.52) and the sway path mean speed (p < 0.001; d = 0.93). Conversely, END unaltered static balance performance but showed an overall improvement in the dynamic one when dual-tasking occurred. The limited human processing capacity accounted the worsening of the cognitive performance in both TP (p < 0.05; d = 0.22) and END (p < 0.001; d = 0.37). Although TP are more used coping dual tasking, the better performance of END could be accounted for by the employment of the external attentive focus (i.e. counting backward aloud) that called into play a strategy close to those adopted during training and competitions. These surprising results should be considered when driving and developing new trainings for team players in dual-tasking conditions.

scholarly journals The Effects of Different Types of Dual Tasking on Balance in Healthy Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 933
Author(s):  
Graça Monteiro de Barros ◽  
Filipe Melo ◽  
Josefa Domingos ◽  
Raul Oliveira ◽  
Luís Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Motor Task ◽  
Dual Tasking ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Single Motor ◽  
Different Types

Numerous of our daily activities are performed within multitask or dual task conditions. These conditions involve the interaction of perceptual and motor processes involved in postural control. Age-related changes may negatively impact cognition and balance control. Studies identifying changes related to dual-task actions in older people are need. This study aimed to determine the effects of different types of dual-tasking on the balance control of healthy older adults. The sample included 36 community-living older adults, performing two tests—a sway test and a timed up-and-go test—in three conditions: (a) single motor task; (b) dual motor task; and (c) dual motor task with cognitive demands. Cognitive processes (dual-task and cognition) affected static balance, increasing amplitude (p < 0.001) and frequency (p < 0.001) of the center of mass displacements. Dynamic balance revealed significant differences between the single motor condition and the other two conditions during gait phases (p < 0.001). The effect of dual-tasking in older adults suggests that cognitive processes are a main cause of increased variability in balance and gait when under an automatic control. During sit-to-stand, turning, and turn-to-sit movements under dual-tasking, the perceptive information becomes the most important focus of attention, while any cognitive task becomes secondary.

scholarly journals Neuroimaging, Behavioral, and Gait Correlates of Fall Profile in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystal M. Kirby ◽  
Sreekrishna Pillai ◽  
Robert M. Brouillette ◽  
Jeffrey N. Keller ◽  
Alyssa N. De Vito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Task Condition ◽  
Dual Task Condition ◽  
Brain Functioning ◽  
Dual Task Performance

Prior research has suggested that measurements of brain functioning and performance on dual tasks (tasks which require simultaneous performance) are promising candidate predictors of fall risk among older adults. However, no prior study has investigated whether brain function measurements during dual task performance could improve prediction of fall risks and whether the type of subtasks used in the dual task paradigm affects the strength of the association between fall characteristics and dual task performance. In this study, 31 cognitively normal, community-dwelling older adults provided a self-reported fall profile (number of falls and fear of falling), completed a gait dual task (spell a word backward while walking on a GaitRite mat), and completed a supine dual task (rhythmic finger tapping with one hand while completing the AX continuous performance task (AX-CPT) with the other hand) during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Gait performance, AX-CPT reaction time and accuracy, finger tapping cadence, and brain functioning in finger-tapping-related and AX-CPT-related brain regions all showed declines in the dual task condition compared to the single task condition. Dual-task gait, AX-CPT and finger tapping performance, and brain functioning were all independent predictors of fall profile. No particular measurement domain stood out as being the most strongly associated measure with fall variables. Fall characteristics are determined by multiple factors; brain functioning, motor task, and cognitive task performance in challenging dual-task conditions all contribute to the risk of falling.

scholarly journals Effect of Taichi Softball on Function-Related Outcomes in Older Adults: A Randomized Control Trial

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Lou ◽  
Liye Zou ◽  
Qun Fang ◽  
Huiru Wang ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Age Related

The purpose of this present study was to examine the effect of Taichi softball (TCSB) on physical function in Chinese older adults. Eighty Chinese older adults were randomly assigned into either an experimental group experiencing four 90-minute TCSB sessions weekly for seven consecutive weeks or a control group. At baseline and 7 weeks later, all participants were asked to perform physical functional tests for both lower and upper limbs. Multiple separate Analyses of Variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures were applied to evaluate the effects of TCSB on function-related outcomes between baseline and postintervention in the two groups. The findings indicate that a short-term and intensive TCSB training program does not only improve low limb-related physical function such as dynamic balance and leg strength, but also strengthen upper limb-related physical function (e.g., arm and forearm strength, shoulder mobility, fine motor control, handgrip strength, and fine motor function). Health professionals could take into account TCSB exercise as an alternative method to help maintain or alleviate the inevitable age-related physical function degeneration in healthy older adults. In addition, researchers could investigate the effect of TCSB exercise on physical function in special populations such as patients with different chronic diseases or neurological disorder (e.g., Parkinson’s disease).

scholarly journals Lighten Up! Postural Instructions Affect Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajal G Cohen ◽  
Jason L Baer ◽  
Ramyaa Ravichandra ◽  
Daniel Kral ◽  
Craig McGowan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Quiet Standing ◽  
Upright Posture ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Eyes Open

Abstract Background and Objectives Increased fall risk in older adults is associated with declining balance. Previous work showed that brief postural instructions can affect balance control in older adults with Parkinson’s disease. Here, we assessed the effects of brief instructions on static and dynamic balance in healthy older adults. Research Design and Methods Nineteen participants practiced three sets of instructions, then attempted to implement each instructional set during: (1) quiet standing on foam for 30 s with eyes open; (2) a 3-s foot lift. “Light” instructions relied on principles of reducing excess tension while encouraging length. “Effortful” instructions relied on popular concepts of effortful posture correction. “Relax” instructions encouraged minimization of effort. We measured kinematics and muscle activity. Results During quiet stance, Effortful instructions increased mediolateral jerk and path length. In the foot lift task, Light instructions led to the longest foot-in-air duration and the smallest anteroposterior variability of the center of mass, Relax instructions led to the farthest forward head position, and Effortful instructions led to the highest activity in torso muscles. Discussion and Implications Thinking of upright posture as effortless may reduce excessive co-contractions and improve static and dynamic balance, while thinking of upright posture as inherently effortful may make balance worse. This may partly account for the benefits of embodied mindfulness practices such as tai chi and Alexander technique for balance in older adults. Pending larger-scale replication, this discovery may enable physiotherapists and teachers of dance, exercise, and martial arts to improve balance and reduce fall risk in their older students and clients simply by modifying how they talk about posture.

The Influence of a Cognitive Dual Task on the Gait Parameters of Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 671-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Smith ◽  
Tara Cusack ◽  
Caitriona Cunningham ◽  
Catherine Blake
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Dual Task Condition ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Task Assessment

This review examines the effect of a dual task on the gait parameters of older adults with a mean gait speed of 1.0 m/s or greater, and the effect of type and complexity of task. A systematic review of Web of Science, PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, and PsycINFO was performed in July 2016. Twenty-three studies (28 data sets) were reviewed and pooled for meta-analysis. The effect size on seven gait parameters was measured as the raw mean difference between single- and dual-task performance. Gait speed significantly reduced with the addition of a dual task, with increasing complexity showing greater decrements. Cadence, stride time, and measures of gait variability were all negatively affected under the dual-task condition. In older adults, the addition of a dual task significantly reduces gait speed and cadence, with possible implications for the assessment of older people, as the addition of a dual task may expose deficits not observed under single-task assessment.

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