The effects of visual factors and head orientation on postural steadiness in women 55 to 70 years of age. J Gerontol 1992 Sep;47(5):M151-8
Date
09/01/1992Pubmed ID
1512430DOI
10.1093/geronj/47.5.m151Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0026795842 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 63 CitationsAbstract
This study was designed to establish reference data for the effects of head position and visual conditions on the standing posture of healthy women ages 55 to 70. Center of pressure (CoP) data were analyzed using ANOVA models. Total CoP displacement was 45% greater (significant, p less than .05) when the subjects stood with their heads back and their eyes closed, as compared to standing looking straight ahead. Visual surrounds consisting of vertical visual cues resulted in less postural sway (PS) than surrounds made of horizontal visual cues (significant, p less than .05 for anteroposterior CoP range). Experimentally reduced visual acuity resulted in greater PS, while changes in ambient lighting and spatial frequency of visual cues affected PS minimally. These results suggest that a reduction in the height of shelving, and the provision of high-contrast visual cues and vertical geometric patterns are potential intervention strategies to optimize vestibular sensory input and visual orientational cues for the maintenance of stability during stance.
Author List
Simoneau GG, Leibowitz HW, Ulbrecht JS, Tyrrell RA, Cavanagh PRAuthor
Guy Simoneau PhD Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette UniversityMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedAging
Ankle Joint
Contrast Sensitivity
Female
Head
Humans
Lighting
Mechanoreceptors
Middle Aged
Movement
Photic Stimulation
Posture
Pressure
Proprioception
Sensory Thresholds
Touch
Vibration
Visual Acuity
Visual Perception
