Falls are one of the worldwide health concerns for older adults with age-associated declines in balance control, the consequence of falls include musculoskeletal injuries such as fractures, strains, and sprains. Hence, investigation of the key factors affecting balance control and fall risk is important due to the increased risk of fall-related injuries. Balance control is a complex process involving the integration and coordination of multiple sensory, musculoskeletal and neural systems. Previous studies have revealed that muscle strength, muscle power, joint torque, and joint stiffness were associated with balance problems and falls, and interventions based on these findings were developed. However, some studies reported that no reductions in fall rate and no improvement in balance control after physical exercise interventions. Therefore, there is a need to further analyze the effect of musculoskeletal conditions on reactive responses following unexpected perturbations and evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions targeting at the improvement of muscle functions.
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide insight into the associations between musculoskeletal conditions and balance control and to explore the interventions to improve balance control and lower the fall risk.
The authors could focus on, but are not limited to, the following themes:
1. The association between joint kinematics/kinetics and balance control.
2. The muscle activation characteristics affecting balance control.
3. Effective recovery strategies involving joint control or muscle activities for fall prevention.
4. Neuromuscular mechanisms underlying the age-associated declines in balance control.
5. The impact of musculoskeletal disorders on fall risk and balance control.
6. Influence of muscle activity on dynamic reactive balance following laboratory-induced perturbation.
7. Interventions based on neuromuscular electrical stimulation for fall prevention.
8. Interventions based on physical exercises to improve balance control for the population at high risk of falls.
Falls are one of the worldwide health concerns for older adults with age-associated declines in balance control, the consequence of falls include musculoskeletal injuries such as fractures, strains, and sprains. Hence, investigation of the key factors affecting balance control and fall risk is important due to the increased risk of fall-related injuries. Balance control is a complex process involving the integration and coordination of multiple sensory, musculoskeletal and neural systems. Previous studies have revealed that muscle strength, muscle power, joint torque, and joint stiffness were associated with balance problems and falls, and interventions based on these findings were developed. However, some studies reported that no reductions in fall rate and no improvement in balance control after physical exercise interventions. Therefore, there is a need to further analyze the effect of musculoskeletal conditions on reactive responses following unexpected perturbations and evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions targeting at the improvement of muscle functions.
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide insight into the associations between musculoskeletal conditions and balance control and to explore the interventions to improve balance control and lower the fall risk.
The authors could focus on, but are not limited to, the following themes:
1. The association between joint kinematics/kinetics and balance control.
2. The muscle activation characteristics affecting balance control.
3. Effective recovery strategies involving joint control or muscle activities for fall prevention.
4. Neuromuscular mechanisms underlying the age-associated declines in balance control.
5. The impact of musculoskeletal disorders on fall risk and balance control.
6. Influence of muscle activity on dynamic reactive balance following laboratory-induced perturbation.
7. Interventions based on neuromuscular electrical stimulation for fall prevention.
8. Interventions based on physical exercises to improve balance control for the population at high risk of falls.