What Explains Successful or Unsuccessful Postural Adaptations to Repeated Surface Perturbations among Older Adults?

As we age there are natural physiological deteriorations that decrease the accuracy and flexibility of the postural control system, which increases the risk of falling. Studies have found that there are individual differences in the ability to learn to manage repeated postural threats. The aim of this study was to investigate which factors explain why some individuals are less proficient at adapting to recurrent postural perturbations. Thirty-five community dwelling older adults performed substantial sensory and motor testing and answered surveys regarding fall-related concerns and cognitive function. They were also subjected to three identical surface perturbations where both kinematics and electromyography was captured. Those that were able to adapt to the third perturbation were assigned to the group “Non-fallers” whereas those that fell during all perturbations were assigned to the group “Fallers”. The group designation dichotomized the sample in a hierarchical orthogonal projection of latent structures— the discriminant analysis model. We found that those who fell were older, had poorer physical performance, poorer strength and longer reaction times. The Fallers’ postural control strategies were more reliant on the stiffening strategy along with a more extended posture and they were less skillful at making appropriate feedforward adaptations prior to the third perturbation.