Date of Award

2021

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Awarded

Master of Science (MS)

Program

Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences

Department

Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences

College

Human Sciences and Education

Faculty Advisor

Hackney, Kyle

Description

Aging results in structural changes that inhibit functional balance with daily activities. The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship of neuromuscular activation of the upper leg to balance and fall risk in the adult population. Eighteen males (32.44yrs ± 14.06) and 32 females (41.88yrs ± 18.07) completed strength and balance assessments with surface electromyography. Results indicated a significant age effect on the Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance score (p = 0.019), and a significant gender effect on knee flexion torque (p < 0.001) and knee extension torque (p < 0.001). Linear regression determined a significant association between reduced muscle coactivation, gender, and age to predict Fall Risk Sway Velocity Index scores (p = 0.010, R2 = .218). Middle-aged adults had worse balance scores, and females demonstrated weaker muscular strength; reduced neuromuscular coactivation, age, and gender predicted 21.8% of the variability in Fall Risk scores.

Rights

NDSU policy 190.6.2

Rights Link

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Handle Identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/10365/32593

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