Postural stability and body posture in older women: comparison between fallers and non-fallers.
BACKGROUND
The study aimed to compare characteristics of postural sway and shape of anteroposterior spinal curvatures in faller and non-faller elderly women.


METHODS
The study enrolled 265 women aged 51-82 years (mean: 66.2) who were physically fit and free from conditions affecting sensorimotor function. Balance was assessed by stabilographic method. Changes in the location of the centre of the force of foot pressure on the ground were registered over 20-second periods with the subjects standing still with eyes open and closed. Measures of variability in the COP signal were analysed together the viscoelastic parameters of the mathematical model in the standing position. Assessment of the shape of anteroposterior spinal curvatures was conducted by photogrammetric method. Indices of the degree of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis were analysed.


RESULTS
The group of women who had experienced at least one fall during the year displayed: a) with regard to body balance, a significantly larger range, variability and velocity of body sway in the sagittal plane and increased suppression of postural oscillations in the frontal plane; b) with regard to body posture, more pronounced forward inclination of the trunk, more marked thoracic kyphosis and a smaller degree of lumbar lordosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Fallers demonstrate poorer body balance in the standing position and poorer body posture than non-fallers.
Ostrowska
Bozena
B
Department of Physiotherapy in Musculoskeletal Dysfunction, University School of Physical Education, Warsaw. bozena.ostrowska@awf.wroc.pl
Giemza
Czesław
C
Wojna
Dorota
D
Skrzek
Anna
A
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000502:physiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008141:Lordosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology