Combined effects of aging and obesity on postural control, muscle activity and maximal voluntary force of muscles mobilizing ankle joint.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of age and/or obesity on postural control, ankle muscle activities during balance testing and force production capacities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 4 groups; control group (CG; n = 25; age = 31.8 ± 7.5 years; BMI = 21.4 ± 2.5 kg/m2 ), obese group (OG; n = 25; age = 34.4 ± 9.5 years; BMI = 39.6 ± 5.4 kg/m2 ), elderly group (EG; n = 15; age = 77.1 ± 8.4 years; BMI = 24.4 ± 1.3 kg/m2 ) and obese elderly group (ObEG; n = 12; age = 78.6 ± 6.6 years; BMI = 34.5 ± 3.1 kg/m2 ) performed maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) before testing to calculate the maximal relative force of ankle plantar flexor (PF) and dorsal flexor (DF) muscles. Center of pressure (CoP) parameters and the electromyography (EMG) activity of PF and DF muscles were collected during MVC, quiet standing and limit of stability (LoS) testing along antero-posterior and medio-lateral axes.

RESULTS: Maximal relative force was higher in EG and ObEG than CG and OG, respectively (p < 0.001). CoP parameters, distance traveled along the antero-posterior axis and EMG activity of PF were higher in OG, EG and ObEG compared to CG (p < 0.001) and in EG compared to ObEG (p < 0.05).The EMG activity of PF was positively correlated with CoP parameters in OG and ObEG (r > 0.6; p < 0.05). Maximal relative force of PF (r > -0.6; p < 0.05) was negatively correlated with CoP parameters in ObEG and EG.

CONCLUSION: Obesity-related postural control alteration is associated with increased activity of PF. This neuromuscular adaptation may reflect deteriorations of the proprioceptive system and is likely additional to age-related muscular impairments. This may be a mechanism by which obesity increases postural control alterations in elderly.