KINESIOL 4SS3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Strength Training, Motor Unit, Muscle Weakness

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Kinesiology
• Course: KINESIOL 4SS3
• Professor: Audrey Hicks

Document Summary

Ability to maintain the body"s position over the base of support. Two types: static balance: the control of postural sway during quiet standing, amplitude and frequency of postural sway increases with aging, dynamic balance: the control of balance during perturbations of stability. Slight bend in body is a test of dynamic balance: ability to reach for objects without losing balance decreases with aging tested with functional reach test (functional reach declines with age) Vision = age-related changes affecting balance include: decrease in visual acuity, decrease is spatial and depth perception, and peripheral vision decreases. Vestibular system = vestibular neurons decrease in size and number after at 40, no direct relationship between loss of neuron and vestibular perception (not huge reason for why older adults lose balance) Degenerative changes in the spine with aging can significantly affect posture. Other factors affecting balance: leg strength.