8.8 Aging and Postural Changes

Question 1

What is the main finding regarding steady-state balance in older adults?

Answer 1

Functional stability limits decline with aging.

Question 2

How does aging affect responses to platform perturbations?

Answer 2

Older adults show greater difficulty maintaining balance compared to younger adults.

Question 3

What is meant by “reactive balance”?

Answer 3

The ability to recover stability following an unexpected external disturbance.

Question 4

How does reactive balance change with age?

Answer 4

Older adults show greater variability and slower postural responses than younger adults.

Question 5

What are the three categories of problems affecting coordination of muscle synergies in older adults?

Answer 5

Sequencing problems, delayed activation, and difficulty adapting to task or environmental changes.

Question 6

What are sequencing problems in postural responses?

Answer 6

Errors in the order of muscle activation needed to restore balance.

Question 7

What does delayed activation mean in the context of aging and balance?

Answer 7

Older adults take longer to activate postural muscles in response to perturbations.

Question 8

What does “problems adapting to task or environment” refer to in postural control?

Answer 8

Difficulty adjusting postural responses to different movement demands or environmental conditions.

Question 9

How does aging affect the type of balance strategy used?

Answer 9

Older adults shift from ankle-dominated to hip-dominated balance strategies.

Question 10

What are common compensatory movements used by unstable older adults?

Answer 10

Bending at the knees, using arms to reach or grasp, and taking compensatory steps.

Question 11

What postural strategy is linked to higher fall risk in older adults?

Answer 11

A stepping response following balance disturbances.

Question 12

What are anticipatory balance responses?

Answer 12

Muscle activations that occur before voluntary movement to maintain stability.

Question 13

How do anticipatory balance responses change with aging?

Answer 13

Older adults often fail to activate postural muscles early enough, increasing the risk of losing balance.

Question 14

What is the functional consequence of delayed anticipatory activation in older adults?

Answer 14

Loss of balance during voluntary movements or position changes.