The Importance and Role of Proprioception in the Elderly: a Short Review

Abstract

Introduction:Aging causes alterations in various body functions, such as motor, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial. One of the factors associated with aging is also the decline in proprioceptive function.Aim:This paper provides an overview from the literature about the definition and importance of proprioception and the correlation with the elderly population.Material and Methods:The scientific literature was reviewed through PubMed, Medline and Science Direct. The articles were chosen in correlation with the study objective and their scientific relevance.Results:Proprioceptive training is fundamental in the rehabilitation and prevention of sports injuries. With the loss of proprioception during aging, the biomechanics of joints and the neuromuscular control of the limbs may change, resulting in impaired balance and a higher possibility of falls. Appropriate and proper physical activity can slow the age-related decline in proprioception.Conclusion:An appropriate proprioceptive training is important for maintaining the best possible physical fitness. It encompasses exercises for stability and coordination, stimulates motor learning, helps in maintaining proper body posture and balance, and improves body control.

Multi-System Physical Exercise Intervention for Fall Prevention and Quality of Life in Pre-Frail Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…A proprioception-training program for 12 weeks in older adults is effective in improving postural stability and decreasing the risk of falls [43]. Therefore, exercise can improve the somatosensory and sensorimotor function, which results in better proprioception [44,45]. However, there are few studies on proprioception exercise training in the pre-frail older adults.…”

A limitation on the use of Integrated Proprioception Screening Scale: a feasibility cross-sectional survey study

“…3 Os testes comuns usados para avaliar a propriocepção entre a população geriátrica são Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Nottingham Sensory Assessment Revised (NSA-R), Rivermead Assessment of Somatosensory Performance (RASP), The Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT), The Thumb Localization Test (TLT) para avaliação clínica e o Dinamômetro Kincom, o teste do Cinestesiômetro, o Teste de Acuidade Cinestésica (KAT) e o Teste do Sentido da Posição do Pulso (WPST) usados para avaliação quantitativa. 3,5,6 Para cobrir todos os aspectos / domínios da propriocepção, a Escala Integrada de Triagem de Propriocepção (IPSS) foi projetada e desenvolvida. 7 O IPSS é usado para avaliar déficits proprioceptivos em indivíduos normais saudáveis e também em pacientes com doença de Parkinson.…”

Structural and Biological Basis for Proprioception

“…Proprioception is impaired in some physiological and pathological situations. It will gain interest in the coming years due to the aging of population: the deficit of proprioception is associated with the increased frequency of falls in the elderly [6][7][8]. Furthermore, several diseases, especially some neurodegenerative disorders, course with proprioception deficits [9,10] which treatment require a better knowledge of the molecular aspects of proprioception and new active research.…”