Ankle proprioceptive acuity is associated with objective as well as self-report measures of balance, mobility, and physical function

Abstract

Ankle proprioceptive information is integrated by the central nervous system to generate and modulate muscle contractions for maintaining standing balance. This study evaluated the association of ankle joint proprioception with objective and self-report measures of balance, mobility, and physical function across the adult life span. Seven hundred and ninety participants (age range 24-97 years, 362 women) who completed ankle proprioception assessment between 2010 and 2014 were included in the present study from the population-based cohort of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), USA. Outcome measures included ankle joint proprioception measured as threshold for perception of passive movement (TPPM); single leg stance time; perceived difficulty for standing balance; usual, fastest, and narrow-path gait speed; walking index; short physical performance battery score; and self-reported activity restriction due to fear of falling. Descriptive variables included age, sex, body mass index, education, strength, and cognition. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) in general linear model (GLM) or multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed, as appropriate, to test the hypothesis that balance, mobility, and physical function were significantly different according to TPPM quintiles even after adjusting for relevant covariates. Those with TPPM >2.2°consistently demonstrated poor balance, mobility, and physical function. However, with increase in challenge (single leg stance, fastest walking speed, and SPPB), TPPM >1.4°was associated with significantly worse performance. In conclusion, ankle proprioceptive acuity has an overall graded relationship with objective and self-report measures of balance, mobility, and physical function. However, the cutoff proprioceptive acuity associated with substantial decline or inability to perform could depend on the challenge induced.

Relationship between pulmonary function and physical performance among community‐living people: results from Look‐up 7+ study

“…Advancing age is linked with important changes in body composition, the most remarkable of which, sarcopenia, is a major cause of physical function decline, disability, and mortality . Some studies have assessed the changes in muscle function during the aging process documenting a substantial age‐related decline in both muscle mass and physical performance . In general, muscle strength (as measured by handgrip test) and physical performance (as measured by chair stand test) were both stable in the first decades of adulthood and start to decrement in the middle years (45+) and late adulthood.…”

“…1,2 Some studies have assessed the changes in muscle function during the aging process documenting a substantial age-related decline in both muscle mass and physical performance. [3][4][5] In general, muscle strength (as measured by handgrip test) and physical performance (as measured by chair stand test) were both stable in the first decades of adulthood and start to decrement in the middle years (45+) and late adulthood. In particular, individuals with more than 75 years lose >30% in muscle strength and physical function.…”

The development of a novel method of recording centre of gravity location in bipedal stance in healthy adults

“…Studies have shown associations between reduced sensation and reduced vision and an increase in sway area (Anson et al, 2017;Deshpande et al, 2016;Hageman, Leibowitz, & Blanke, 1995;Tanaka et al, 1996). Conversely, there is a reduction in sway area when somatosensation is enhanced through the use of spike insoles , which further reinforces the importance of somatosensory function to sway area.…”

“…Older adults have been found to be more reliant on inputs from proprioception than on the visual and vestibular systems as balance is challenged (Wiesmeier et al, 2015). Proprioceptive acuity may be predictive of dorsi-and plantarflexor muscle function for antero-posterior motor control in older adults (Craig, Goble, & Doumas, 2016) and has been found to be associated with both subjective and objective measures of balance (Deshpande et al, 2016).…”

“…It is often reported as the area covered by 95% of all COP positions during the test time . Sway area has been shown to increase for older healthy adults compared with younger adults (Berger et al, 2005a; reflecting greater COP movement within the BOS in quiet stance.Studies have shown associations between reduced sensation and reduced vision and an increase in sway area (Anson et al, 2017;Deshpande et al, 2016;Hageman, Leibowitz, & Blanke, 1995;Tanaka et al, 1996). Conversely, there is a reduction in sway area when somatosensation is enhanced through the use of spike insoles , which further reinforces the importance of somatosensory function to sway area.…”