Differences In Dynamic Stability, Function Mobility, And Sensations Between Older Adults Over And Under 75

PURPOSE: As the older adults get older, their balance ability decreases and the risk of falling increases. To investigate the differences in dynamic stability, functional mobility, proprioception, tactile sensation, and muscle strength between older adults at different age span. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-nine older adults from the local community were recruited, and they were divided into younger (TG, 65-74 years) and older (TO, ≥75 years) groups. Berg Balance Scale (BBS), timed up and go (TUG), proprioception of knee flexion/extension and ankle dorsi/plantarflexion, cutaneous sensitivity at great toe, 1st and 5th metatarsals, arch, and heel, and muscle strength of ankle dorsi/plantarflexion and hip abduction was tested in the laboratory. RESULTS: Data analysis included 154 participants in the younger (103 persons, 68.6 ± 2.8 yrs, 1.63 ± 0.70 m, 65.31 ± 9.70 kg) and older (50 persons, 82.2 ± 2.8 yrs, 1.60 ± 0.70 cm, 61.93 ± 8.45 kg) groups. Compared to the younger group, the older group had less BBS (TG: 54.41 ± 1.71; TO: 50.13 ± 2.52, p < 0.001, d = 1.987) scores, higher TUG (TG: 11.03 ± 1.51; TO: 14.30 ± 3.42, p < 0.001, d = 1.237) scores, lower muscle strength (ankle plantarflexion TG: 0.38 ± 0.14; TO: 0.22 ± 0.13, p < 0.001, d = 1.187; ankle dorsiflexion TG: 0.23 ± 0.07; TO: 0.17 ± 0.08, p < 0.001, d = 0.845; hip abduction TG:0.44 ± 0.16; TO: 0.30 ± 0.15, p < 0.001, d = 0.860), and greater proprioception thresholds (knee flexion TG: 2.75 ± 1.91; TO: 3.66 ± 2.53, p = 0.041, d = 0.315; knee extension TG: 3.08 ± 2.36; TO: 3.88 ± 2.71, p = 0.043, d = 0.410; ankle plantarflexion TG: 3.12 ± 2.80; TO: 6.43 ± 4.64, p < 0.001, d = 1.106; ankle dorsiflexion TG: 2.84 ± 2.19; TO: 6.47 ± 4.09, p < 0.001, d = 0.866). However, no differences were detected in tactile sensation (Great toe TG: 4.30 ± 0.61; TO: 4.48 ± 0.74, p < 0.210, d = 0.253; 1st Metatarsal TG: 4.28 ± 0.62; TO: 4.37 ± 0.61, p = 0.074, d = 0.148; 5th Metatarsal TG: 4.36 ± 0.48; TO: 4.42 ± 0.54, p = 0.055, d = 0.118; Arch TG: 4.46 ± 0.55; TO: 4.48 ± 0.54, p = 0.912, d = 0.042; Heel TG: 4.59 ± 0.56; TO: 4.75 ± 0.31, p = 0.313, d = 0.247). CONCLUSION: Compared to the younger group, the older group had a greater risk of falls, worse functional mobility, muscle strength and proprioception. Funding was provided by Shandong Province Young Innovative Talent Introduction and Cultivation Program (2019-183).