The effects of aging on the control of posture and locomotion in healthy older adults: an emphasis on cognition

It is now well established that falls and fall-related casualties are a major health concern for older adults. Research efforts aimed at identifying the causes for falling and/or reducing the frequency of falling have primarily targeted the sensory and motor deficits associated with aging that increase the risk for instability. Recently, however, there has been an emphasis toward investigating cognitive contributions that accompany the regulation of balance and locomotion, with the opinion that age-related deficits in cognitive function may increase the risk for instability. This chapter presents an overview of the control of balance during upright standing, and during locomotion, in young and older adults. Studies detailing age-related differences in the control of balance during quiet stance, following an external disturbance to stance, and the control of balance during locomotion are presented. The major focus of this paper, however, revolves around the cognitive requirements for balance and locomotion. A review of recent literature is presented to address the issue of how age-related differences in the cognitive demands associated with postural control can increase the risk for instability among older adults.