[Gender-specific differences in postural balance among non-working retirees aged 65-69 years.]

Abstract

The study was aimed at obtaining new knowledge about the balance function of non-working retirees, including data on the gender-specific characteristics of postural balance (PB) after retirement. The participants comprised 30 men and 30 women within the age range of 65-69 years, retired and unemployed. The subjective age (SA) of the examined individuals was determined by asking them how old they actually felt. For a comprehensive assessment of the components of PB, the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and the Motor Control Test (MCT) were carried out using the computer posturography complex «Smart Equitest Balance Manager». Comparative analysis of SA did not reveal any gender-specific differences in ageing perception among retirees aged 65-69 years. It has been established that retirement does not lead to a deterioration in age-related self-esteem in older people. Analysis of the resulting MCT assessment also did not reveal any gender-related differences in coordinated motor reactions and sensorimotor support of postural control in retired people between 65 and 69 years of age. However, a comparative assessment of SOT indicators showed that retired women have a decrease in static-dynamic balance and automatic postural control, as well as a decrease in the degree of participation of vestibular information in the control of balance. The findings of the study suggest that it is precisely these functional changes that are the root causes that increase the risk of falls in women after 64 years of age. Thus, we have established gender-specific differences in the components of PB among non-working retirees, which indicates the need to take into account gender characteristics when developing preventive measures aimed primarily at reducing the risk of falls.