Falling, and fall-related injuries, are a major health issue in our aging society (30–40% of community dwellers >65 years-old fall annually). However, little is known about the exact neural mechanisms underpinning such outcomes, and whether they are reversible.
Possible candidates are changes in proprioception and/or sensorimotor functioning. Here, novel test methodologies will reveal cortical activity and corticospinal excitation/inhibition, and their complex interactions. The loss of balance at different ages, after follow-up and the effects of balance-improving intervention will be studied.
This is a combined cross-sectional, observational study, and randomized-controlled trial. One young (20-35y), one middle-aged (50-65y), and one older (70-85y) group will be recruited. All measurements will be repeated two years later to determine to what extent changes in neural functioning have occurred (observational study).
This project uniquely combines evaluation of sensorimotor control during balance perturbations with the trajectory of these processes during aging, as well as potential for reversibility during training.
This study falls within the Academy of Finland profiling area “BRAIN” at the University of Jyväskylä.
