The postural system in relation to age and gender

Background. Age- and gender-dependent reference data are indispensable for reliable evaluation of the adaptation and training capacity of the postural system. Systematic studies which allow an interpretation of the plasticity of the postural system during a life span do not exist today due to the lack of appropriate assessment tools. Those tools are still limited to either age or target group. Hypothesis. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to obtain age- and gender-specific reference data with posturography (interactive balance system, IBS) in a healthy study group during their life span. Methods. The IBS allows a frequency analytic parametrization of postural subsystems (visual, peripheral-vestibular, somatosensory, nigrostriatal, cerebellar) and an interpretation of the postural stability (stability indicator). The posturographic data obtained (n=1894) were selected using defined exclusion criteria: the age- and gender-specific analysis was stratified according to nine age groups. Results and discussion. The highest postural stability (parameter: ST) was found in the 20.130.0 age group. A significant loss of postural capacity was only noted after the age of 50 (p=0.036). Furthermore, the progression curves of the posturographic parameters showed a clear capacity deficit in early and middle infancy. The constant loss of capacity during middle adulthood was especially reflected in the somatosensory (F 56) and cerebellar (F 78) postural subgroups. Those results can be interpreted as a compensatory reaction to the age-related loss of visual and nigrostriatal activity (F 1). Gender-related results showed a clear female predominance over males regarding postural regulation, which was significant in infancy and adolescence. Conclusion. The interpretation capacity of the postural regulation over a whole life span with the IBS system makes it different from all other investigational tools and shows a clear validity for screening examinations. The age- and gender-specific data obtained are a basis for further investigation with the IBS and give the postural exam more significance and reliability. The results show a high plasticity of the IBS in all age groups combining a considerable preventive and rehabilitative potential.