Effects of Sensory Input Interactions on Components of Nonlinear Dynamics of Postural Sway in Aging

Abstract

Postural control involves complex nonlinear dynamics influenced by the interaction and adaptation of different sensory inputs. However, it is not how these inputs interact with one another due to the complex complications associated with aging, particularly concerning the nonlinear dynamics of postural sway. This study aimed to examine how different sensory inputs, surface conditions, and aging factors to influence postural control mechanisms between young and older by investigating the nonlinear dynamics of postural control using the stabilogram diffusion analysis (SDA) and entropy methods. SDA parameters were much greater on foam surfaces than on firm surfaces for both groups in eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions (p ≤ 0.05). For older subjects, there were significant differences in entropy values between firm and foam surfaces (p ≤ 0.05) but no significant difference between eyes conditions (p > 0.05). For both SDA and entropy parameters, surface and age interaction potentially revealed significant differences between young and older subjects (p ≤ 0.05) than eyes and age interaction. The present study provided insight into uncovering the complex relationships between sensory inputs, surface conditions, age, and their potential interaction effects on postural control mechanisms that could mitigate falls and alleviate the fear of falling, particularly in older populations.

Keywords:

• nonlinear dynamics
• postural control
• entropy
• sensory information
• aging

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thanks to The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK) - 2219 Post-Doc Program for contribution of this research at Twente University in The Netherland. The author also would like to thanks to Dr. S. Utku Yavuz and Juan D. Delgado Teran at Biomedical Signal and Systems (BSS) Group in Twente University for their help and support in method discussions.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

The author reports there are no competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.