Age and related differences in postural control: role of attentional focus

Background: postural control has an important role in people's daily activities and motor independence. In recent years, for balance performance optimization has been a lot of attention to conscious aspects of postural control, such as attention, cognitive processes and Etc. Therefore, the present study designed to examine the age-related differences in postural control in the internal and external focus of attention. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, displacement of the anterior - posterior,middle – lateral and speed center of pressure (cop) 22 elderly (59/95 ± 2/12 year) and 22young men (24/16 ± 2/76 year) that selected based on target and availability from shahid chamran university students and staff in three 30-second effort in the internal and external focus were measured using force platform. After investigating the data normality with kolmogorov smirnov and equality of variance using the leven test, data using multivariable variance analysis and one-way variance analysis was analyzed.Results and Discussions: Results showed that postural stability of both groups in external focus more than internal focus, this results support of limited action hypothesesand processing conscious, also in two test conditions; young groups have lower sway than elderly group. Seems to be weaker elderly performance than young people in both external and internal conditions was effects of aging on Sensorimotor systems. Conclusion: A benefit of balance training with an external focus might be enhanced balance and perhaps a reduction in the risk of falls in older individuals.

Keywords:

Age Related differences , Attentinal Focus , Postural Control