Lab Balance and Postural Control Flashcards
What are the three main components of balance discussed in Dr. Kantak’s lecture?
The individual, the environment, and the task itself.
What is postural control?
It involves the motor systems, sensory systems, and cognitive resources that help maintain balance.
Why is adequate strength and range of motion important for balance?
They are necessary to maintain balance and are involved in muscle synergies that produce predictable responses.
What sensory systems are involved in balance?
Vision, the vestibular system, and the somatosensory system.
Why are cognitive resources important for balance?
They involve the strategies used for balance and the allocation of attention to tasks that require balance.
Why is it important to test balance in older adults?
To determine their risk of falls, identify affected areas of postural control, and quantify deficits for insurance purposes.
How does aging affect the sensory systems involved in balance?
Vision and the vestibular system decline with age, while the somatosensory system typically remains intact unless there is a pathological change.
What is the Berg Balance Scale?
A clinical tool to assess balance that ranges from 0 to 54, with lower scores indicating higher falls risk.
Why is the concept of usual performance versus best performance important in balance assessment?
It highlights that balance in a clinical setting may not reflect real-world performance where distractions and rushed conditions can affect stability.
What is dual tasking in the context of balance assessment?
Performing a balance task while simultaneously managing a cognitive or physical load, such as counting backward or carrying an object.
What is the BESTest, and who designed it?
The BESTest is a comprehensive balance assessment tool designed by Fay Horak that examines six underlying systems of balance.
What are the six areas assessed by the BESTest?
Biomechanical constraints, stability limits, postural responses, anticipatory postural adjustments, sensory orientation, and dynamic balance during gait.
