Article

How aging affects body sway and joint coordination during quiet standing was
investigated under two visual feedback conditions provided on a monitor screen:
fixed and moving cursor representing the center of pressure (COP) position
measured by a platform. The across-time joint motion variance of ankle, knee,
hip, mid-trunk, and cervical spine leading to COP displacement was analyzed using
the uncontrolled manifold approach. The body sway was assessed by the COP
displacement. Young and older adults showed greater ankle joint contribution to
COP displacement than the other joints. However, older adults showed larger
variability of knee and mid-trunk joint motions than young adults. During the
moving condition, the ankle joint contribution decreased and hip joint
contribution increased for both groups, but the COP displacement increased only
for the older adults. We conclude that joint coordination and body sway during
quiet standing can be modified by providing COP visual feedback and that joint
coordination is affected by aging.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS