Conscious movement processing (CMP), which could compromise motor automaticity and efficiency, may increase during postural adjustments under balance challenges. This study aimed to compare real-time CMP, postural stability, and muscle efficiency while standing in challenging environments between older adults with high and low CMP propensity. Forty older adults (mean age=71.3±4.8) were included in this preliminary analysis. Participants were divided into Low Reinvestor Group (LRG:n=20) or High Reinvestor Group (HRG:n=20), by median split of the Chinese version of Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale. Participants completed two consecutive foam standing balance trials for three different positions with different difficulties in a randomized order (wide-base, narrow-base, tandem-base). Electroencephalography (EEG) T3-Fz coherence, total path length and lower limbs co-contraction index were used to measure the real-time CMP, postural stability, and muscle efficiency, respectively. We observed a significant Group x Position interaction effect for EEG T3-Fz coherence (p=0.023). The LRG appeared to increase the real-time CMP more than that of the HRG from narrow to tandem stance. There was a main effect of Position for total path length in all tested regions (p<0.001) and co-contraction index of the shank (p=0.004). Post-hoc comparisons revealed significantly increased total path length and co-contraction index at tandem relative to wide stance (p<0.05). This analysis discovered potentially increased real-time CMP patterns, postural instability and muscle inefficiency, among older adults in both LRG and HRG while progressing standing challenges. Follow-up analysis after completion of data collection is needed to further investigate such potential differences and their contribution to fall risks.

Authors:
Thomson Wai-lung Wong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
Melody C. Y. Leung, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
Toby C. T. Mak, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
Minghua M. H Cao, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
Valerie W. Y. Chui, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
Shamay S. M. Ng, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
Wai Lung, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Wai Lung, Thomson Wong is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in China

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