Quantification of standing balance in an elderly population and in children in Chile

Abstract

Objective: To quantify the differences in the trajectory of the center of pressure (COP) in an elderly population and a group of children.

Methods: This was a cross-section study for which a convenience sample of 38 elderly adults and 20 children

was obtained. The parameters studied were: area and average speed of excursion of the COP, and the frequency bands (0.0625; 0.125; 0.25; 0.5; 1, 2 y 4 Hz).

Results: During the standing balance evaluation in the absence of the visual system, there are significant differencesin the area and average velocity of the COP. The group of children generates much more area of COP during the test than the elder group (p = 0.009).

However, postural adjustments in children are faster than those of the older group (p = 0.002).

Conclusions: In the absence of the visual system, the elderly group had lower area and speed of postural adjustment than the younger group. The latter group used the vestibular and somatosensory systems to maintain standing balance.