How do age-related changes typically affect postural control?

• A. Increases postural sway, slower reaction times, delayed or smaller APAs, reduced scaling of muscle responses, and greater fall risk.
• B. Decreases sway, faster reactions, more robust APAs, no change in fall risk.
• C. No effect on postural control with age.
• D. Age only affects vision, not postural control.

Answer: (B)

As people age, postural control tends to deteriorate rather than improve. You’ll commonly see greater postural sway, slower reaction times to perturbations, and delays or reductions in anticipatory postural adjustments, meaning the body prepares less effectively for a potential loss of balance. The scaling of muscle responses to disturbances also tends to be smaller, so corrective actions are not as strong or well-timed. Taken together, these changes increase the likelihood of a fall. While some individuals may show preserved or compensatory strategies with training, the typical pattern with age is a decline in postural control.