@article{WiesmeierDalinWehrleetal.2017,
  author    = {Wiesmeier, Isabella K. and Dalin, Daniela and Wehrle, Anja and Granacher, Urs and Muehlbauer, Thomas and Dietterle, J{\"o}rg and Weiller, Cornelius and Gollhofer, Albert and Maurer, Christoph},
  title     = {Balance training enhances vestibular function and reduces overactive proprioceptive feedback in elderly},
  series = {Frontiers in aging neuroscience},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Frontiers in aging neuroscience},
  publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation},
  address   = {Lausanne},
  issn      = {1663-4365},
  doi       = {10.3389/fnagi.2017.00273},
  pages     = {13},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Objectives: Postural control in elderly people is impaired by degradations of sensory, motor, and higher-level adaptive mechanisms. Here, we characterize the effects of a progressive balance training programon these postural control impairments using a brain network model based on system identification techniques. Methods and Material: We analyzed postural control of 35 healthy elderly subjects and compared findings to data from 35 healthy young volunteers. Eighteen elderly subjects performed a 10 week balance training conducted twice per week. Balance training was carried out in static and dynamic movement states, on support surfaces with different elastic compliances, under different visual conditions and motor tasks. Postural control was characterized by spontaneous sway and postural reactions to pseudorandom anterior-posterior tilts of the support surface. Data were interpreted using a parameter identification procedure based on a brain network model. Conclusion: Balance training reduced overactive proprioceptive feedback and restored vestibular orientation in elderly. Based on the assumption of a linear deterioration of postural control across the life span, the training effect can be extrapolated as a juvenescence of 10 years. This study points to a considerable benefit of a continuous balance training in elderly, even without any sensorimotor deficits.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MuehlbauerBesemerWehrleetal.2013,
  author    = {M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Besemer, Carmen and Wehrle, Anja and Gollhofer, Albert and Granacher, Urs},
  title     = {Relationship between strength; balance and mobility in children aged 7-10 years},
  series = {Gait \& posture},
  volume    = {37},
  journal   = {Gait \& posture},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Clare},
  issn      = {0966-6362},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.06.022},
  pages     = {108 -- 112},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between variables of lower extremity muscle strength, balance, and mobility assessed under various task conditions. Twenty-one healthy children (mean age: 9 +/- 1 years) were tested for their isometric and dynamic strength as well as for their steady-state, proactive, and reactive balance and mobility. Balance and mobility tests were conducted under single and dual task conditions. Significant positive correlations were detected between measures of isometric and dynamic leg muscle strength. Hardly any significant associations were observed between variables of strength and balance/mobility and between measures of steady-state, proactive, and reactive balance. Additionally, no significant correlations were detected between balance/mobility tests performed under single and dual task conditions. The predominately non-significant correlations between different balance components and mobility imply that balance and mobility performance is task specific. Further, strength and balance/mobility as well as balance under single and dual task conditions seem to be independent of each other and may have to be tested and trained complementarily.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MuehlbauerBesemerWehrleetal.2012,
  author    = {M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Besemer, Carmen and Wehrle, Anja and Gollhofer, Albert and Granacher, Urs},
  title     = {Relationship between strength, power and balance performance in seniors},
  series = {Gerontology},
  volume    = {58},
  journal   = {Gerontology},
  number    = {6},
  publisher = {Karger},
  address   = {Basel},
  issn      = {0304-324X},
  doi       = {10.1159/000341614},
  pages     = {504 -- 512},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {Background: Deficits in strength, power and balance represent important intrinsic risk factors for falls in seniors. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between variables of lower extremity muscle strength/power and balance, assessed under various task conditions. Methods: Twenty-four healthy and physically active older adults (mean age: 70 8 5 years) were tested for their isometric strength (i.e. maximal isometric force of the leg extensors) and muscle power (i.e. countermovement jump height and power) as well as for their steady-state (i.e. unperturbed standing, 10-meter walk), proactive (i.e. Timed Up \& Go test, Functional Reach Test) and reactive (i.e. perturbed standing) balance. Balance tests were conducted under single (i.e. standing or walking alone) and dual task conditions (i.e. standing or walking plus cognitive and motor interference task). Results: Significant positive correlations were found between measures of isometric strength and muscle power of the lower extremities (r values ranged between 0.608 and 0.720, p < 0.01). Hardly any significant associations were found between variables of strength, power and balance (i.e. no significant association in 20 out of 21 cases). Additionally, no significant correlations were found between measures of steady-state, proactive and reactive balance or balance tests performed under single and dual task conditions (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: The predominately nonsignificant correlations between different types of balance imply that balance performance is task specific in healthy and physically active seniors. Further, strength, power and balance as well as balance under single and dual task conditions seem to be independent of each other and may have to be tested and trained complementarily.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{MuehlbauerBesemerWehrleetal.2017,
  author    = {M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Besemer, Carmen and Wehrle, Anja and Gollhofer, Albert and Granacher, Urs},
  title     = {Relationship between strength, power and balance performance in seniors},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-399970},
  pages     = {9},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Background: Deficits in strength, power and balance represent important intrinsic risk factors for falls in seniors. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between variables of lower extremity muscle strength/power and balance, assessed under various task conditions. Methods: Twenty-four healthy and physically active older adults (mean age: 70 8 5 years) were tested for their isometric strength (i.e. maximal isometric force of the leg extensors) and muscle power (i.e. countermovement jump height and power) as well as for their steady-state (i.e. unperturbed standing, 10-meter walk), proactive (i.e. Timed Up \& Go test, Functional Reach Test) and reactive (i.e. perturbed standing) balance. Balance tests were conducted under single (i.e. standing or walking alone) and dual task conditions (i.e. standing or walking plus cognitive and motor interference task). Results: Significant positive correlations were found between measures of isometric strength and muscle power of the lower extremities (r values ranged between 0.608 and 0.720, p < 0.01). Hardly any significant associations were found between variables of strength, power and balance (i.e. no significant association in 20 out of 21 cases). Additionally, no significant correlations were found between measures of steady-state, proactive and reactive balance or balance tests performed under single and dual task conditions (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: The predominately nonsignificant correlations between different types of balance imply that balance performance is task specific in healthy and physically active seniors. Further, strength, power and balance as well as balance under single and dual task conditions seem to be independent of each other and may have to be tested and trained complementarily},
  language  = {en}
}