Caio Borella Pereira da Silva

Efeitos da manipulação da sensibilidade plantar sobre o controle da postura ereta em adultos jovens e idosos

INTRODUCTION Subjects with sensorial losses present balance deficits. Although such condition is often observed among elderly, there is discussion concerning the dependence on sensorial information for body sway control in the elderly without sensorial losses. PURPOSE We investigated the effects of foot sensitivity manipulation on postural control during upright standing in young adults and independent elderly (n=19/group). METHODS Plantar sensitivity was evaluated by esthesiometry, and speed of center of pressure shift data during upright posture were evaluated for each foot using a baropodometer while the subjects were standing with eyes open or closed. The young adult group was evaluated for pressure center in normal conditions and after plantar sensitivity disturbance, by immersing their feet in water and ice. RESULTS Young adults did not show alterations in their center of pressure after sensorial perturbation and presented, even under sensorial perturbation, better postural control than elderly subjects. The elderly showed lower foot sensitivity and greater center of pressure oscillation than young adults. CONCLUSION Elderly subjects seem to rely more on foot sensitivity for control of body sway than young adults. In the elderly, a clinical intervention to improve foot sensitivity may help in upright posture maintenance.

Effects of plantar foot sensitivity manipulation on postural control of young adult and elderly

INTRODUCTION Subjects with sensorial losses present balance deficits. Although such condition is often observed among elderly, there is discussion concerning the dependence on sensorial information for body sway control in the elderly without sensorial losses. PURPOSE We investigated the effects of foot sensitivity manipulation on postural control during upright standing in young adults and independent elderly (n=19/group). METHODS Plantar sensitivity was evaluated by esthesiometry, and speed of center of pressure shift data during upright posture were evaluated for each foot using a baropodometer while the subjects were standing with eyes open or closed. The young adult group was evaluated for center of pressure in normal conditions and after plantar sensitivity disturbance, by immersing their feet in water and ice. RESULTS Young adults did not show alterations in their center of pressure after sensorial perturbation and presented, even under sensorial perturbation, better postural control than elderly subjects. The elderly showed lower foot sensitivity and greater center of pressure oscillation than young adults. CONCLUSION Elderly subjects seem to rely more on foot sensitivity for control of body sway than young adults. In the elderly, a clinical intervention to improve foot sensitivity may help in upright posture maintenance.

Análise da variabilidade e repetibilidade da pressão plantar durante a marcha de idosos

INTRODUCTION Repeatability and variability of the plantar pressure during walking are important components in the clinical assessment of the elderly. However, there is a lack of information on the uniformity of plantar pressure patterns in the elderly. OBJECTIVE To analyze the repeatability and variability in plantar pressure considering mean, peak and asymmetries during aged gait. METHODS Plantar pressure was monitored in four different days for ten elderly subjects (5 female), with mean±standard-deviation age of 73±6 years, walking barefoot at preferred speed. Data were compared between steps for each day and between different days. RESULTS Mean and peak plantar pressure values were similar between the different days of evaluation. Asymmetry indexes were similar between the different days evaluated. CONCLUSION Plantar pressure presented a consistent pattern in the elderly. However, the asymmetry indexes observed suggest that the elderly are exposed to repetitive asymmetric loading during locomotion. Such result requires further investigation, especially concerning the role of these asymmetries for development of articular injuries.bility and variability of the plantar pressure during walking are imporeywords: Introduction: Repeata ait inetics tant components in the clinical assessment of the elderly. However, there is a lack of information on the uniformity of plantar pressure patterns in the elderly. ∗ Autor para correspondência. E-mail: carpes@unipampa.edu.br (F.P. Carpes). ttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rbr.2015.03.006 482-5004/© 2015 Elsevier Editora Ltda. Todos os direitos reservados. 428 r e v b r a s r e u m a t o l . 2 0 1 5;5 5(5):427–433 Aging Biomechanics Foot Objective: To analyze the repeatability and variability in plantar pressure considering mean, peak and asymmetries during aged gait. Methods: Plantar pressure was monitored in four different days for ten elderly subjects (5 female), with mean ± standard-deviation age of 73 ± 6 years, walking barefoot at preferred speed. Data were compared between steps for each day and between different days. Results: Mean and peak plantar pressure values were similar between the different days of evaluation. Asymmetry indexes were similar between the different days evaluated. Conclusion: Plantar pressure presented a consistent pattern in the elderly. However, the asymmetry indexes observed suggest that the elderly are exposed to repetitive asymmetric loading during locomotion. Such result requires further investigation, especially concerning the role of these asymmetries for development of articular injuries.