Comparison of lateral and anteroposterior slope in static balance among young, adults and elderly

INTRODUCTION: With the increase of elderly population, it becomes important to understand and assess the process of human aging, which causes morphological and functional. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare antero posterior and lateral slopes of center of gravity by age groups. METHODS: Cross sectional and exploratory, including 135 subjects, divided into age groups: Group 1: 20-29 years (n=26), Group 2: 30-39 years (n=26), Group 3: 40-49 (n=25), Group 4: 50-59 years (n=30) and Group 5: > 60 years (n=28). These subjects were selected according to the score of the Mini-mental State Examination and the ability to stand for at least 90 seconds. The attitudes were assessed using the Postural Assessment Software (SAPO). Comparisons among the values given by SAPO slopes were made using the Mann-Whitney test (comparison peer-to-peer), and accepted a value of p<0.05 as significant. RESULTS: Comparing the average frontal asymmetry between the age groups, greater lateralization is observed with advancing age, with significant values in the groups 50-59 and >60 years. Comparing sagittal asymmetry averages among the age groups, significant values were found in the >60 years group. CONCLUSIONS: After evaluating and comparing the sagittal and frontal asymmetry, it may be pointed out that as age advances, there is a tendency to increase their anterior and lateral projections compared to the center of gravity.