Connection between Static and Dynamic Balance during Dual Task Performance

Abstract

Research background. There are up to 60 percent of community dwelling elderly people which experience falls due to cognitive impairment. It also affects the motor function, especially the balance control. In everyday life, it is often necessary to perform several motor and cognitive tasks at the same time, therefore, the relationship between the risk of falling and cognitive function is very close. A very noticeable change in cognitive function can lead to inappropriate decision making, attention disturbances, which can increase the risk of falls. The aim of the research. To assess the interaction between community dwelling elderly people balance control and cognitive functions. Methods. The evaluation of static balance using “Kistler” platform, the evaluation of dynamic balance with the “Timed Up & Go” test, dual task method. Results. The results showed that the maintenance of static balance deteriorated while performing a cognitive task at the same time in community dwelling people. Dynamic balance control also deteriorated in elderly people while performing a cognitive task, and the subjects went slower 3 meters under such conditions. A cognitive task signifcantly prolonged “Timed Up & Go” test results of dynamic balance. A signifcant interaction between static and dynamic balance control was found while performing a cognitive task. Conclusions. 1) static balance control of the community dwelling elderly people statistically signifcantly deteriorated while performing cognitive task, without visual feedback and also in romberg’s standing position; 2) dynamic balance control of the community dwelling elderly people statistically signifcantly deteriorated while performing cognitive task; 3) a statistically signifcant direct relation was found between static and dynamic balance behaviour while performing a cognitive task in both cases, the balance control is deteriorating. Keywords: balance control, older age, static balance, dynamic balance.