Article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which adding a
challenge to a reach test would increase the limit of stability (LOS) in young
and old individuals. DESIGN: While standing on a force plate, with infrared
markers on bony landmarks for motion analysis, 15 old (mean [SD], 70 [7] yrs old)
and 15 young (mean [SD], 24 [2] yrs old) participants completed the modified
functional reach test, in which they were asked to touch the farthest target
possible in a series. They were then challenged to touch additional targets
(functional reach challenge test) until they lost balance. RESULTS: The young
participants reached farther than the old participants on both the modified
functional reach and functional reach challenge tests (P = 0.005 and P = 0.003),
but no group differences were found in absolute distance gains seen with the
addition of the challenge. The participants in both groups displaced the center
of pressure farther and used 10% more of their anatomic stability allowance in
the functional reach challenge test than in the modified functional reach test.
The young participants increased the LOS from 80.5% to 90.9% of their anatomic
allowance, whereas the old participants increased theirs from 72.1% to 82.8%.
CONCLUSIONS: The challenge improved reaching and LOS similarly in the young and
old participants, but the old participants used smaller absolute percentages of
LOS. Knowing the flexibility of LOS is useful for rehabilitation practitioners in
assessing balance and designing therapeutic exercises that challenge stability
during performance of functional arm movements and train individuals to use their
LOS safely.

Langue : ANGLAIS