Relationships between hamstring morphological characteristics and postural balance in elderly men.
Year: 2020
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The link between hamstring morphology and postural balance performance in older adults is not well understood. This study aimed to examine the relationships between hamstring morphological characteristics of muscle size (cross-sectional area [CSA]) and quality (echo intensity [EI]) and postural balance with the eyes open and closed in elderly men. METHODS: Nineteen healthy elderly men (age= 73±4 years) participated in this study. Muscle CSA and EI were determined from ultrasound scans of the hamstrings. Postural balance was assessed with the eyes open and closed using a commercially designed balance testing device, which provides a measurement of static stability based on the sway index. RESULTS: =0.747). CONCLUSIONS: The significant relationship observed between the sway index with eyes closed and muscle EI suggests that hamstring muscle quality may be a characteristic relevant to postural balance in the absence of visual feedback. These findings may provide important insight regarding the morphological mechanisms involved in maintaining balance and in the development of proper training programs aimed at improving postural stability in older individuals.
Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
Authors: Ty B Palmer, Ahalee C Farrow, Bailey M Palmer
Institution: Texas Tech University
Language: English
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3011788021