title: Postural changes associated with ageing on the sensory organization test and the limits of stability in healthy subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Acknowledgement of the age effects on postural control and balance is essential to differentiate between physiological changes and actual pathological alterations of the elderly. The aim of this study is to establish the age-related postural changes recorded by the Computerized Dynamic Posturography.
  
  
  METHODS
  70 healthy individuals (35 males and 35 females) with an average age of 44.9 years, evenly distributed in seven age groups. We carried out a Sensory Organization Test and Limits of Stability with the Neurocom Smart Balance Master(®) posturography platform. Statistical analysis was undertaken using ANOVA (p<0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increased age-related balance percentage for Condition 4 (p=0.022), reduced usage rate of ankle-strategy for Conditions 3 (p=0.027) and 4 (p=0.05) for the higher age groups were reported. Regarding limits of stability, the following were the results: age-related differences at an early stage, reaction time from 40 to 49 years, velocity of movement, excursion and directional control from 50 to 59 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Age only affects the balance rate under more complex sensory conditions. For healthy people, ankle strategy is more frequently used than hip strategy; however, the use of hip strategy increases under more difficult sensory conditions. Limits of stability get worse with age, namely after the age of 40-50 years.
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Electronic address: anafaraldo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faraldo-García
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Otorhinolaryngology Department, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Sofía
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santos-Pérez
authors.affiliation: Statistics and Operative Research Department, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crujeiras
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Otorhinolaryngology Department, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soto-Varela
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D012016:Reference Values; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ageing; Dizziness; Postural balance; Sensation disorders; Stability