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The Effects of Performance Fatigability on Postural Control and Rehabilitation in the Older Patient

Current Geriatrics Reports volume 5, pages 172–178 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Fatigue is common in older adults and has a significant effect on quality of life. Despite the high prevalence of fatigue in older individuals, several aspects are poorly understood. It is important to differentiate subjective fatigue complaints from fatigability of motor performance because the two are independent constructs with potentially distinct consequences on mobility. Performance fatigability is the magnitude of change in a performance criterion over a given time of task performance. Performance fatigability is a compulsory element of any strength training program, yet strength training is an important component of rehabilitation programs for older adults. The consequences of fatigability for older adults suggest that acute exercise of various types may result in acute impairments in postural control. The effects of performance fatigability on postural control in older adults are evaluated here to aid the rehabilitation clinician in making recommendations for evaluation of fall risks and exercise prescription.

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Affiliations

  1. University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA

    Evan V. Papa, Mahdi Hassan & Nicoleta Bugnariu

Authors
  1. Evan V. Papa
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  2. Mahdi Hassan
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  3. Nicoleta Bugnariu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Evan V. Papa.

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Conflict of Interest

Evan Papa reports grants from NIH/NCATS KL2TR001103 during the conduct of the study.

Nicoleta Bugnariu reports grants from NSF/NRI-1208623 during the conduct of the study.

Mahdi Hassan reports no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

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Papa, E.V., Hassan, M. & Bugnariu, N. The Effects of Performance Fatigability on Postural Control and Rehabilitation in the Older Patient. Curr Geri Rep 5, 172–178 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-016-0179-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-016-0179-4

Keywords

  • Fatigue
  • Fatigability
  • Performance fatigability
  • Older adults
  • Seniors
  • Geriatrics
  • Rehabilitation
  • Exercise
  • Posture
  • Postural control
  • Postural stability
  • Falls