title: The contribution of postural balance analysis in older adult fallers: A narrative review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Falls are a serious health problem for older adults. Several studies have identified the decline of postural balance as one of the main risk factors for falls. Contrary to what may be believed, the capability of force platform measurements to predict falls remains uncertain. The focus of this narrative review is the identification of postural characteristics of older adults at risk of falling using both static and dynamic postural balance assessments.
  
  
  METHODS
  The literature analysis was conducted on Medline/PubMed. The search ended in May 2015.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Centre of pressure (CoP) path length, CoP velocity and sway in medial lateral and anterior-posterior are the variables that distinguish older adult fallers from non-fallers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recommendations to medical personnel on how to provide efficient balance training for older adults are offered, discussing the relevance and limitations of postural stability on static and dynamic board in falling risk prevention.
authors.affiliation: Motor Science Research Center, School of Exercise & Sport Sciences, SUISM, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy. Electronic address: luisa.pizzigalli@unito.it.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pizzigalli
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Micheletti Cremasco
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mulasso
authors.affiliation: Motor Science Research Center, School of Exercise & Sport Sciences, SUISM, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rainoldi
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Centre of pressure; Dynamic posturography; Falls; Older adults; Static posturography