Age-related changes in balance control from the age of 20 to 60: A preliminary study

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 18 million of older people are treated ever year in the emergency room for nonfatal injuries that occur during falls. Studies also suggested that about 15% of adults aged 40-49 years experience balance problem due to vestibular or vision problem. We hypothesized that balance instability may begin to emerge as early as the age of 40. The purpose of this study was to examine the aged-related changes in balance control from the age of 20 to 60. In this preliminary study, five adults aged from 23 to 65 years completed two types of balance testing: 1) Standing balance: participants were tested with a SMART Balance Master System by performing the sensory organization test; 2) Walking balance: participants walked for six minutes on a treadmill while presenting a virtual reality corridor. Walking stability was measured by calculating the spatiotemporal gait parameters, such the average stride time and step width. Both standing and walking balance tests consistently showed that the ability to maintain balance was reduced from the age of 40. These results are encouraging and they support our hypothesis. To reduce the public health burden associated with fall injuries among older adults, it is possible that healthy aging should require appropriate screening even from the age of 40. Our ongoing study utilizing a much larger sample size will further confirm or refute these initial intriguing results.