Comparative analysis of dominant limb postural control in adults with and without fear of falling.

BACKGROUND

Fear of falling (FOF) is associated with an increased risk of functional decline; however, findings remain inconsistent regarding its effects on balance control mechanisms. The aim of our study was to compare dominant limb differences in postural control, as indicated by sway distances between the center of pressure (COP) and center of gravity (COG), in adults with and without FOF.

METHODS

Twenty-one subjects with FOF and 22 control subjects participated in three dominant and non-dominant limb standing tasks on force plates. The outcome measures included the separation sway distance (COP-COG) and the ranges of COP and COG sway during the tasks.

RESULTS

There was a significant interaction between groups, directions, and repeated trials for COP sway distance during non-dominant limb standing (F = 4.95,  = 0.03), particularly in the first trial in the mediolateral direction (t = -1.77,  = 0.04) and the third trial in the anteroposterior (AP) direction (t = -2.30,  = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The FOF group exhibited increased sway distances and sway range asymmetries, particularly in the AP direction during the third trial of non-dominant limb standing. These findings emphasize the importance of neuromuscular trunk control, particularly in relation to increased COG and COP sway ranges observed for the non-dominant limb. Such understanding is crucial for assessing postural adaptations following repeated trials and mitigating fall risks among adults with FOF.