Abstract

Few studies have investigated the effect of external loads secured inferior to the center of mass (COM) on postural control and motor performance in younger and older adults. In the present study, we investigated the effect of systematically increased external loads secured inferior to the COM on young (N = 15, age [years]: M = 26.67, SD= 3.45) and older adults’ (N = 15, age [years]: M = 67.4, SD= 7.69) center of pressure displacement and velocity, and also dart throwing performance in four different load conditions: 1) no load (control condition), 2) loading with 5% of body mass, 3) loading with 10% of body mass, and 4) loading with 20% of body mass. Overall, older adults had higher COP displacement and velocity in both anterior/posterior (AP) and Medio-lateral (ML) directions and poorer dart throwing scores than younger adults. Despite no significant difference in dart throwing performance for the different load conditions within each age group, loading with 10% and 20% of body mass reduced AP COP displacement relative to control for both study groups, with 20% body mass also reducing AP COP velocity relative to control for both study groups. In conclusion the present findings reveal that external loads secured inferior to older and younger adults’ COM may enhance postural control without compromising motor performance. The findings were discussed in the context of fall-prevention and athletic performance.

摘要

很少有研究调查确保低于质心 (COM) 的外部负载对年轻人和老年人的姿势控制和运动表现的影响。在本研究中，我们调查了系统性增加的外部负荷低于 COM 对年轻人（N = 15，年龄 [岁]：M = 26.67，SD = 3. 45）和老年人（N = 15，年龄[岁]：M = 67.4，SD = 7。69) 压力中心位移和速度，以及四种不同负载条件下的飞镖投掷性能：1) 空载（控制条件），2) 5% 体重的负载，3) 10% 体重的负载，以及4) 加载体重的 20%。总体而言，与年轻人相比，老年人在前/后 (AP) 和中外侧 (ML) 方向上的 COP 位移和速度更高，飞镖投掷得分更差。尽管每个年龄组内不同负荷条件下的飞镖投掷性能没有显着差异，但对于两个研究组而言，相对于对照组，10% 和 20% 体重的负荷降低了 AP COP 位移，20% 体重也降低了 AP COP 速度相对于两个研究组的对照组。总之，目前的研究结果表明，确保低于老年人和年轻人 COM 的外部负荷可以在不影响运动性能的情况下增强姿势控制。研究结果在预防跌倒和运动表现的背景下进行了讨论。