Pronated foot and reactive balance: A preliminary comparative study of older women

Abstract

Background Older adults with pronated foot may face greater challenges in maintaining balance, which increases their risk of falling. Reactive balance, which refers to the ability to restore stability following an unforeseen disturbance, is a key component in evaluating fall-related postural control. Evaluating reactive balance can provide insights about balance capabilities and potential fall risks in this population. Objective This study compared the reactive balance (center of mass displacement and reaction time) between older women with and without pronated foot. Methods Thirty-two older women comprising 16 with bilateral pronated foot and 16 without pronated foot participated in the study. To assess reactive balance, a three-dimensional motion analysis was conducted. Each participant was equipped with 29 retroreflective markers and compensatory stepping corrections were performed in the forward direction. Independent t-test was used to compare the center of mass displacement and reaction time between the two groups. Results The older women with pronated foot exhibited significantly slower reaction times than those without pronated foot (p = 0.017). However, no significant difference was determined for the center of mass displacement between the two groups (p = 0.367). Conclusion This study indicated that older women with pronated foot had significantly prolonged reaction times, suggesting an impairment in reactive response. However, the lack of significant differences in the center of mass displacement between those with and without pronated foot suggest that although older women with pronated foot maintain balance similar to those without pronated foot, their delayed reaction times may hinder the ability to make quick, involuntary stepping adjustments, potentially increasing fall risks.