title: Effects of balance training on muscle coactivation during postural control in older adults: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, several studies have reported age-associated increases in muscle coactivation during postural control. A rigid posture induced by strong muscle coactivation reduces the degree of freedom to be organized by the postural control system. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of balance training on muscle coactivation during postural control in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight subjects were randomized into an intervention (mean age: 81.0 ± 6.9 years) and a control group (mean age: 81.6 ± 6.4 years). The control group did not receive any intervention. Postural control ability (postural sway during quiet standing, functional reach, and functional stability boundary) was assessed before and after the intervention. A cocontraction index was measured during the postural control tasks to assess muscle coactivation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cocontraction index values in the intervention group significantly decreased following the intervention phase for functional reach (p < .0125). Cocontraction index values had a tendency to decrease during functional stability boundary for forward and quiet standing tasks. Functional improvements were observed in some of the tasks after the intervention, that is, functional reach, functional stability boundary for forward, one-leg stance, and timed up and go (p < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study raised the possibility that balance training for older adults was associated with decreases in muscle coactivation during postural control. Postural control exercise could potentially lead older adults to develop more efficient postural control strategies without increasing muscle coactivation. Further research is needed to clarify in greater detail the effects of changes in muscle coactivation.
authors.affiliation: Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. k.nagai@ky2.ecs.kyoto-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Koutatsu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Buichi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Kazuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uemura
authors.forename: Shuhei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Tomoki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aoyama
authors.forename: Noriaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ichihashi
authors.forename: Tadao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuboyama
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*