Effects of loading and aging on attentional demands of postural control

• Main Author: Ong, Yi Min.
• Other Authors: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Bioengineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/40125
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

It has traditionally been considered that postural control is an automatic or reflex controlled task, suggesting that postural control systems use minimal attentional resources. However, recent research has provided evidence against this assumption. These studies suggest that there are significant attentional requirements for postural control, and that these requirements vary depending on the postural tasks, the ages of the individuals and their balance abilities. Good postural control is an imperative function skill that greatly influences our ability to perform daily activities. Diminished balance ability, often seen in elderly, poses a serious health risk due to the increased likelihood of falling. An unfortunate fact about falls in elderly is that elderly recover much slower than young children and adults, and at times where fall-related injuries are more severe, elderly may lose their independence in daily life or even worse, their lives. In this report, the study seeks to investigate on the effects of loading, aging, proprioception and cognitive tasks on postural control between young adults and elderly. 12 assessments are drafted to cover the investigations of the 4 factors. 16 subjects are involved in this study, 8 of who belong to the age group of 15-30 years old and the remaining 8 to the age group of 55-70 years old. The subjects are requested to carry out assessments on a force platform which measures the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral of the center of pressure. Having these measures, data analysis is carried out to calculate the various measures of COP which constitute a representation of the complex postural control system. Thereafter, statistical analysis via ANOVA is carried out to calculate the significant effects of the 4 factors as stated, on the postural control of both young adults and elderly. At the end of this study, conclusions are drawn on the measures of COP and suggestions for future work and investigations into similar fields are recommended.