Abnormal Movement patterns: age-related causes Flashcards
Aging: DNA changes and repair
- metabolism results in reactive Oxygen or free radicals
- environmental factors
- damage DNA
Aging: genetics vs health behaviors
- epigenetics can change gene expression
Falls and aging
- fifth leading cause of death in elderly
- unintentional injury
- 2/3 falls
- risk factors: infection, clutter, vision, stability issues, cognition issues
Age-related changes in postural control
- strength
- ROM
- neuromuscular system
- sensation
- cognition
Strength changes with aging
- force production decreases
- endurance decreases
- size decreases
- muscle cells die: loss of type 1 and 2 fibers
- concentric strength affected more
- functional demands
ROM changes with aging
- greatest decline: spinal extension
- functional changes associated with kyphosis (decreased lungs due to compression)
- ankle flexibility: greater loss in women
- other conditions: arthritis and pain
neuromuscular system changes: postural sway in quiet stance and perturbed stance
postural sway in quiet stance
- may increase,
- decrease or
- stay the same)
perturbed stance:
- increase latency,
- cocontraction,
- hip strategy used more than ankle
Reactive Balance strategies: factors that affect it
multifactoral:
- strength
- visual acuity
- vibrotacile threshold
- reaction time
- best compensation: increased use of stepping reactions
Sensory changes with aging
- decreases in vibratory threshold, light touch and pressure
- lower extremities affected more than upper extremities
- related to loss of sensory receptors and sensory fibers
Effects of sensory changes
- increased reliance on other sensory systems for balance
- increased latency of muscle response to perturbation
- strength and function
Visual changes associated with aging
- structural changes in eye
- less light transmitted to retina
- more light needed to perceive objects
- loss of visual field
- loss of visual acuity
- impaired visual contrasts sensitivity
Effects of visual changes on postural control
- increased postural sway in quiet stance
- changes in reactive postural response
- may have tendency to rely on visual information for balance
Vestibular changes with aging
- loss of vestibular hair cells and neurons with aging
- associated with decreased amplitude of postural responses
- can cause dizziness and related to imbalance
Multisensory deficit
- what can you do
- effect depends on degree of loss in each system
- good news:
- sensory selection training
- preventive role of activity
Anticipatory postural control
- affected by the same changes that affect quiet stance and reactive control
- similar strategies as reactive control
- contributor to falls
- consideration for rehab
