Rita M. Kiss
motion analysis, balance and stability, healthy elderly subjects, balancing ability after sudden perturbation
An unstable oscillatory platform can be used as a simple measuring instrument for modelling balancing capacity. We sought to determine the effects of (1) lateral dominance, (2) the body mass index, (3) age, (4) gender on the Lehr’s damping ratio for characterizing the balancing capacity after sudden perturbation of 137 healthy elderly participants. Tests were performed during standing on both limbs and on one limb (dominant or non-dominant). The healthy subjects were divided in three-three groups based on body mass index, and age. The value of the Lehr’s damping ratio was significantly smaller for participants standing on their non-dominant limb compared to when they stood on both limbs or on the dominant limb. A weak correlation was found between the Lehr’s damping ratio and the body mass index (r<0.21). The Lehr’s damping ratio significantly decreased with the increasing of age (ptrend<0.003), and a significantly strong negative correlation (r<-0.59) was found between age and the Lehr’s damping ratio in males and in females. Based on our results, at healthy elderly subjects the Lehr’s damping ratio depends on lateral dominance, gender and age; however, it is independent of body mass index.
Important Links:
Go Back
