Obese elderly women exhibit low postural stability: a novel three-dimensional evaluation system.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the multisegmental static postural balance of active eutrophic and obese elderly women using a three-dimensional system under different sensory conditions.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 31 elderly women (16 eutrophic and 15 obese) aged 65 to 75 years. The following anthropometric measurements were obtained: weight, height, waist and hip circumference, and handgrip strength. The physical activity level was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Body composition was measured using the deuterium oxide dilution technique. The Polhemus(®) Patriot (three-dimensional) equipment was used to measure the parameters of postural balance along the anteroposterior and laterolateral axes. The data acquisition involved one trial of 60 s to test the limit of stability and four trials of 90 s each under the following conditions: (1) eyes open, stable surface; (2) eyes closed, stable surface; (3) eyes open, unstable surface; and (4) eyes closed, unstable surface.


RESULTS
For the limit of stability, significant differences were observed in the maximum anteroposterior and laterolateral displacement (p<0.01) and in the parameter maximum anteroposterior displacement in the eyes closed stable surface condition (p<0.01) and maximum anteroposterior and laterolateral displacement in the eyes open unstable surface (p<0.01 and p = 0.03) and eyes closed unstable surface (p<0.01 and p<0.01) conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Obese elderly women exhibited a lower stability limit (lower sway area) compared with eutrophic women, leaving them more vulnerable to falls.
Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Department of Internal Medicine, SP, Brazil.
José Ailton O
JA
Carneiro
Taiza E G
TE
Santos-Pontelli
Karla H C
KH
Vilaça
Karina
K
Pfrimer
José F
JF
Colafêmina
Antonio Adilton O
AA
Carneiro
Eduardo
E
Ferriolli
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D049628:Body Size / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D012683:Sensory Deprivation