Older Adults with Pre-sarcopenia/Sarcopenia have Increased Gastrocnemius Muscle Activity to Maintain Upright Postural Control at Stance Perturbation

PurposeWith aging, there is a decline in the ability to balance, leading to a predisposition to falls. The study's aim was to verify the influence of pre-sarcopenia/sarcopenia on the ability to recover postural stability during balance perturbation.MethodsFourteen older adults with pre-sarcopenia/sarcopenia (70.21 & PLUSMN; 2.80 years) and fourteen without sarcopenia (68.85 & PLUSMN; 3.50 years) were included. Sarcopenia was identified according to the European Consensus on Definition and Diagnosis (EWGSOP) criteria. Ten balance perturbations were applied. Variables Analyzed: Latency for the peak of center of pressure (CoP), CoP velocity, latency time and electromyographic (EMG) amplitude.ResultsThere was a difference between groups in the latency for the peak of CoP (p = 0.041), velocity of CoP (p = 0.016) and EMG amplitude of the lateral gastrocnemius (p = 0.019). There was difference in perturbations within pre-sarcopenic/sarcopenic group on latency for the peak of CoP in perturbations 1 and 2 (p = 0.023) and 1 and 10 (p = 0.041). There was a significant difference on velocity of CoP in non-sarcopenic group in comparison 1 and 2 (p = 0.040) perturbations.ConclusionOlder adults with pre-sarcopenia/sarcopenia require greater ankle plantarflexor activation to remain standing in response to perturbation compared to older adults without sarcopenia. In repetitive perturbations, the adaptations of pre-sarcopenic/sarcopenic group increase the magnitude of the EMG signal.

Automated summary

The study aimed to investigate the influence of pre-sarcopenia/sarcopenia on the ability of older adults to recover postural stability during balance perturbation. The results showed that older adults with pre-sarcopenia/sarcopenia required greater ankle plantarflexor activation to remain standing in response to perturbation compared to those without sarcopenia.