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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Age-Related Changes In Strength And Somato-Sensation During Mid-Life Support Rationale For Targeted Preventive Intervention Programs, Nancy Low Choy, Sandra Brauer, Jennifer Nitz Sep 2007

Age-Related Changes In Strength And Somato-Sensation During Mid-Life Support Rationale For Targeted Preventive Intervention Programs, Nancy Low Choy, Sandra Brauer, Jennifer Nitz

Nancy Low Choy

Age-related changes in strength and somatosensation have a negative impact on balance with advanced age. Knowledge of the decades of life when strength and somatosensation show initial and subsequent reductions could inform balance assessment and targeted preventive intervention. We report a cross-sectional study investigating strength and somatosensation of 316 healthy women aged 20–80 years. Demographics, health profile, and activity level were recorded. Strength of quadriceps, hip abductors and adductors, and lower limb somatosensation (tactile acuity, vibration threshold, and joint position error) were measured. Significant age-related changes in strength and somatosensory function were identified, even when demographic variables of activity level, …


Timed Stance Performances Reflect Differences In Age, Prevalence Of Co-Morbidities, Medication Use, Fall’S History And Activity Level: Early Screening For Balance Loss Is Indicated, Nancy Low Choy, Sandra Brauer, Jennifer Nitz Feb 2007

Timed Stance Performances Reflect Differences In Age, Prevalence Of Co-Morbidities, Medication Use, Fall’S History And Activity Level: Early Screening For Balance Loss Is Indicated, Nancy Low Choy, Sandra Brauer, Jennifer Nitz

Nancy Low Choy

Objectives:
To determine if 10-second trials of bilateral and one-legged stance measures detected balance loss and influence of known risk factors for falls in women aged 20–80 years.

Methods:
456 healthy adult women attempted 10-second trials of bilateral stance (firm and foam surfaces) and one-legged stance, with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). Data for age, co-morbidities, medication use, fall history and activity level were compared for three categories of stability: (i) stable: all trials completed; (ii) unsteady: completed/failed one to two trials; and (iii) failed all trials.

Results:
Bilateral stance on foam (EC) and one-legged stance (EO) yielded …


Visual Contributions To The Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex During Balance Recovery Tasks, Mark D. Diehl Jan 2007

Visual Contributions To The Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex During Balance Recovery Tasks, Mark D. Diehl

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is quantified by computing the ratio of head angular velocity and eye angular velocity (VOR Gain). This measure only includes head angular movements; linear translations are not accounted for. These investigations postulate an alternative method of VOR quantification, one that assesses retinal image stability during head angular and linear movements (Foveal fixation (FF)). This method was used to assess the role of vision in balance reactions. Methods: Experiment 1 : Ten Young subjects were fitted with an eye tracker linked to an EM kinematic recording system. This allowed for the recording of head, trunk and …


Changes In Activity Level In Women Age 40 To 80 Years, Jennifer Nitz, Nancy Low Choy Dec 2006

Changes In Activity Level In Women Age 40 To 80 Years, Jennifer Nitz, Nancy Low Choy

Nancy Low Choy

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to report habitual physical activity levels in women and document the change in level of activity and factors affecting this change over a 5-year period.

Methods
A 5-year prospective cohort design was used. Women aged 40-80 years, living independently in the community, were recruited via the electoral role. The effects were investigated, first, of age, activity level, history of falls, number of co-morbidities and medications, body mass index and stability at baseline on change in activity level and, second, change in these demographics on activity level over the study period.

Results
Data from …