The skin somatosensation of lower extremities is relevant in the preservation of balance, whose interaction is compromised with aging. The purpose of this research was to determine the level of relationship between plantar cutaneous sensation with the dynamic balance in healthy elderly population. The study design was cross-sectional. A sample composed of 74 healthy elderly population between 60 and 75 years old, recruited from a Primary Care Center in the city of Talca, Chile. We measured the tactile discrimination of two points: first, second and third metatarsal, lateral border, arch and heel of both feet. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Biodex Balance System SD, recording the Overall Stability Index, the anterior-posterior, and the medial-lateral stability index. For the statistical analysis, we used Pearson's coefficient and the multiple linear regression. The results showed low correlation between the two-point discrimination of the right heel with the Overall Stability Index (r=0.244; p=0.018) and the medial-lateral stability index (r=0.267; p=0.011). The left heel was correlated with the Overall (r=0.268; p=0.011) and medial-lateral (r=0.285; p=0.007) stability indices. The multiple correlation analysis showed no influence of anthropometric and health factors, such as: age, body mass index, medicine number, diseases, and falls in the variance of the dynamic balance indexes. In conclusion, the reduced plantar cutaneous sensation in both heels was associated with slightly higher rates of total and medial lateral dynamic balance.
Aging; Postural Balance; Accidental Falls; Sensation; Foot
