AGING AND BALANCE - THE MEASUREMENT OF SPONTANEOUS SWAY BY POSTUROGRAPHY

Sway was measured by static posturography in 74 healthy subjects. Four age groups were investigated: 20-40, 40-60, 60-70 and over 70 years w ith equal numbers of males and females in each group. Sway increased l inearly with age but was not affected by gender at any age. All age gr oups were more dependent on proprioception than vision in the maintena nce of balance, but when reliable pressoreceptor information was remov ed, dependence on vision increased. The relative contributions of the sensory systems to balance did not alter with advancing age. The incre ase in sway demonstrated with normal ageing does not appear due to alt ered peripheral sensibility. It is more likely that it is due to slowi ng of central integrative processes.