[Standing stability in children- and young adults. Influence of proprioceptive, visual and vestibular systems in age- and sex dependent changes].
BACKGROUND
The maintenance of balance while standing is ensured by means of a sensory motor control system. As the development of sensory organization on posture control in children is not clear at this time, the aim of this study was to analyse the significance of each sensory component in relation to age and sex.


METHODS
A total of 128 children between the ages of 3 and 16 years and 23 adults were examined using the Sensory Organization Test (EquiTest).


RESULTS
Age-related changes during the test procedure showed a developmental tendency of the sensory motor process. The influence of the proprioceptive function on stance stability seemed to be completely developed between 3-4 years. The visual and vestibular afferences reached the adult level between 15-16 years with differences between girls and boys.


CONCLUSIONS
Age-related evaluation of the postural mechanisms can be used for differentiation between physiological and pathological results in balance control as well as for monitoring therapy progress in the context of, for example, hyperactivity or learning disability.
Steindl
R
R
Klinik für Hals, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Leopold-Franzens-Universität, Innsbruck.
Ulmer
H
H
Scholtz
A W
AW
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005246:Feedback / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000502:physiology*; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*