Balance and Skeletal Alignment in a Group of Elderly Female Fallers and Nonfallers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether sagittal plane posture differed between fallers and nonfallers and to explore the relationship between skeletal alignment and balance in elderly females. Forty-eight women > 65 years of age were recruited from various medical and senior citizen centers. Thirteen of these women were classified as fallers. Spinal posture was measured in standing using an inclinometer, and lower extemity joint angles were assessed in standing using a universal goniometer. The Berg Balance Scale, the Functional Reach Test, end a modified Timed Get Up and Go Test were used to measure balance. Spinal alignment did not differ significantly between fallers and nonfallers; however, knee joint angle was significantly greater in fallers compared to nonfallers. Significant, but low, correlations were found between the inclination of the upper thoracic spine and all three balance measures. Lower thoracic slope and knee joint angle in standing were also weakly related to two of the three balance measures. This study supports the hypothesis that a significant but weak relationship exists between balance and skeletal alignment in elderly females.

Relationship between the occiput-wall distance and physical performance in the elderly: a cross sectional study

“…This relationship is probably explained by the biomechanical effects of changes in OWD: in particular, the kyphotic posture of the upper dorsal and cervical spine results in anterior displacement of the center of gravity, and is followed by compensatory widening of the base of support and lumbar hyperlordosis (23,24). This adaptive strategy leads to the balance impairment shown in our study, and probably involves a consequent increase in the risk of falls.…”

Comparison of Toe Plantar Flexors Strength and Balancing Ability between Elderly Fallers and Non-fallers

“…O'Brien et al 16) reported similar results in that female elderly fallers had a significantly lower average score on the FRT (22.2 vs. 27.7 cm for fallers and non-fallers, respectively). This is consistent with our result.…”

“…The principal investigator asked each subject about his or her history of falls during the screening test. Fifteen persons (7 males and 8 females) who had fallen at least once while walking during the previous 12 months were included in faller group [15][16][17] ; the non-faller group included 15 age-and sex-matched persons. A fall was not counted if it occurred due to dizziness, illness, during unusual activities in a hazardous environment.…”

Effects of chronic airway disease on health status of geriatric patients

“…Subjects were investigated according to a protocol covering the following domains: social and environmental aspects; smoking history; pharmacological therapy, which was assessed and codified according to a previously validated method (22,23); comorbid diseases, which were classified following the International Disease Classification, 9 th revision, Clinical Modification, and combined to compute Charlson's Index of comorbidity (24,25); anthropometric data [(weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI=weight/height 2 )]; waist-to-hip ratio, and occiput-wall distance (26)(27)(28). The last index reflects the degree of kyphosis of the upper thoracic and cervical spine, which is a correlate of both poor balance and osteoporotic vertebral fractures (26,27).…”

“…The last index reflects the degree of kyphosis of the upper thoracic and cervical spine, which is a correlate of both poor balance and osteoporotic vertebral fractures (26,27).…”