A comprehensive series of functional tasks are being developed and used to study the neuromuscular performances of subjects across age spans. Cross-sectional analyses of the results will be performed to advance understanding of the effects of aging upon the static and dynamic capacities of the human postural control system. From this work, it is hoped that future interventions can be designed to successfully enhance performance and, ultimately, reduce the number of debilitating falls experienced by the elderly. While pain management is the reason given for most chiropractic visits, another possible benefit for the elderly may be the prevention of falls due to improved physical functioning. Fall-related injuries contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality rates among older adults.
Studies indicate that the aged postural control system possesses the positive capacity to adapt.
In the proposed study it is hypothesized that regular chiropractic care, defined as alleviation of joint restrictions combined with proprioceptive training, will be found to improve the performance of the aged postural control system. The research endeavors to demonstrate the clinical efficacy of regular chiropractic care for the elderly. However, the neurophysiologic mechanisms underlying the clinical efficacy of SMT for pain management and reduction of muscle spasm have yet to be determined. In addition, our knowledge of the neurophysiology of SMT is theoretical in nature. The primary objective of the research is to gain a more complete understanding of the basic neurophysiologic effects of SMT on the human motor system.