Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The association between osteoporosis and static balance in elderly women

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Osteoporosis International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Summary

This study aimed at answering the question: do people with high bone loss have greater postural instability? Groups were separated into group 1: women with normal bone mineral density, group 2: women with osteopenia, and group 3: women with osteoporosis. The balance was evaluated in four upright postural situations. Osteoporosis group had greater oscillation in the anteroposterior displacement in all situations compared to control group and the greatest mediolateral displacement in all situations compared to other groups.

Introduction

It is not known whether the presence of osteoporosis can be considered a factor aggravating the postural control. This study aimed at answering the question: do people with high bone loss have greater postural instability?

Methods

This study was divided into three groups: group 1 (n = 20) consisting of women with normal bone mineral density, group 2 (n = 20) women with osteopenia, and group 3 (n = 20) women with osteoporosis. All the participants were submitted to evaluation of the balance using the Polhemus system in four upright postural situations.

Results

Osteoporosis group had greater oscillation in the anteroposterior displacement in all situations compared to control group. The osteoporosis group also showed the greatest mediolateral displacement in all situations compared to other groups.

Conclusion

The results suggest that osteoporotic women had the worst balance, possibly due to the more pronounced body changes compared to non-osteoporotic women.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Medical Information System: http://portal.saude.gov.br/portal/saude/area.cfm?id_area=124

  2. Shimada H, Obuchi S, Kamide N, Shiba Y, Okamoto M, Kakurai S (2003) Relationship with dynamic balance function during standing and walking. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 82:511–516

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Carvalho MI (2006) Osteoporose: visão do ortopedista. Rev Bras Ortop 41(4):91–97

    Google Scholar 

  4. Myakoshi N, Itoi E, Kobayashi M, Kodama H (2003) Impacto f postural deformities and spinal mobility on quality of life in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int 14(12):1007–1012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Laughton CA, Slavin M, Katdare K et al (2003) Aging, muscle activity, and balance control: physiologic changes associated with balance impairment. Gait Posture 18(2):101–108

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Horak FB (2006) Postural orientation and equilibrium: what do we need to know about neural control of balance to prevent falls? Age and Agin 35(S2):ii7–ii11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Arampatzis A, Karamanidis K, Mademli L (2008) Deficits in the way to achieve balance related to mechanisms of dynamic stability control in the elderly. J Biomech 41:1754–1761

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott MH (2003) Controle Motor — Teoria e aplicações práticas, 2nd edn. Manole, São Paulo

    Google Scholar 

  9. Holviala JHS, Sallinen JM, Kraemer WJ, Alen MJ, Hakkinen KKT (2006) Effects of strength training on muscle strength characteristics, functional capabilities, and balance in middle-aged and older women. J Strength Cond Res 20(2):336–344

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Deshpande N, Patla AE (2007) Visual-Vestibular interaction during goal directed locomotion: effects of aging and blurring vision. Exp Brain Res 176(1):809–824

    Google Scholar 

  11. Buatois S, Gueguen R, Gauchard GC, Benetos A, Perrin PP (2006) Posturography and risk of recurrent falls in healthy non-institutionalized persons aged over 65. Gerontology 52:345–352

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Gill J, Allum JH, Carpenter MG et al (2001) Trunk sway measures of postural stability during clinical balance tests: effects of age. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 56(7):M438–M447

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Lynn SG, Sinaki M, Westerlind KC (1997) Balance characteristics of persons with osteoporosis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 78(3):273–277

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Liu-Ambrose T, Eng JJ, Khan KM, Carter ND, McKay HÁ (2003) Older women with osteoporosis have increased postural sway and weaker quadríceps strength than counterparts with normal boné mass: overlooked determinants of fracture risk. Journal of Gerontology 58A(9):862–866

    Google Scholar 

  15. Sinaki M, Brey RH, Hughes CA, Larson DR, Kaufman KR (2005) Balance disorder and increased risk of falls in osteoporosis and kyphosis: significance of kiphotic posture and muscle strength. Osteoporos Int 16:1004–1010

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Siris ES et al (2001) Identification and fractures outcomes of undiagnosed low bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. JAMA 286(22):2815–2822

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank FAPESP (#2007/54596-0, #2007/57685-4) and CNPq (PIC 08/09) for the support provided.

Conflicts of interest

None

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physiotherapy Course, Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Rehabilitation of Locomotor System, University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, Ribeirão Preto FMRP-USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    D. C. Abreu, D. C. Trevisan, G. C. Costa, F. M. Vasconcelos & M. M. Gomes

  2. Department of Physics and Mathematics, FFCLRP-USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

    A. A. Carneiro

  3. Departamento de Biomecânica, Medicina e Reabilitação do Aparelho Locomotor, FMRP/USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    D. C. Abreu

Authors
  1. D. C. Abreu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. C. Trevisan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. C. Costa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. F. M. Vasconcelos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. M. Gomes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. A. A. Carneiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. C. Abreu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Abreu, D.C., Trevisan, D.C., Costa, G.C. et al. The association between osteoporosis and static balance in elderly women. Osteoporos Int 21, 1487–1491 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-009-1117-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-009-1117-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation