Originally Posted by DnvrFox
Recently read an article which stated that most balance problems of folks as they age are caused by decreased sensation in the sole of the foot. They fitted a bunch of folks with balance problems with some feet doo hickies that gave more sensation - I guess something with raised bumps - and their balance improved remarkably.
How this relates to trackstanding, I haven't a clue?? Perhaps some special shoes?
Ah HA!! Found it.
http://asb-biomech.org/onlineabs/NACOB98/110/
From a clinical perspective, it is noteworthy that the associations between cutaneous insensitivity and apparent difficulty in controlling compensatory stepping reactions have been demonstrated in active, and ostensibly healthy, older adults. Results such as these suggest that measures of vibration-detection thresholds may prove helpful, as an early indicator, in identifying older adults who may be susceptible to difficulty in controlling rapid balancing reactions. Our ongoing research is aimed at developing interventions, such as special footwear, that may help to compensate for such deficits and thereby reduce the risk of experiencing falls and related injuries.