Effect of Stabilization Shoes on Balance in Elderly
Effect of Stabilization Shoes on Balance in Elderly
Movement during everyday activities most often requires stable posture. Postural control
 corresponds to a complex motor ability to maintain / re-establish balance and orient one's
 body in the environment. Postural stability and equilibrium deteriorate with age. More than
 30% of people over 65 years old fall per year. Falls represent 90% of hip fractures and
 sometimes result in lasting psychological effects. Shoes are our direct link between the
 ground and our feet. Wearing shoes plays a major role in postural control. The
 characteristics of shoes usually worn by elderly people are identified with those of shoes
 known to be 'dangerous'. In order to improve stability and reduce the risk of falling for the
 elderly, Axis-Comfort Development® has developed "experimental balance shoes". Their shoes
 have technical characteristics presented in the scientific literature as beneficial for
 postural stability.

 Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing experimental
 balance shoes on postural balance compared with the people's own shoes. We assumed that
 postural balance would be improved by experimental balance shoes in an acute way and improved
 by a familiarization phase.

 This was a controlled, randomized, blind and cross-over study. three sessions were held in
 our center, each time interspersed with a phase of familiarization at home (7 to 10 days)
 during which the people had to wear either the experimental balance shoes or their own
 personal shoes. 21 volunteers in total participated in this study, all between 65 and 75
 years old. Five tests were presented randomly for each session and all tests were carried out
 on a Huber 360 ® (LPG System, France) stabilometric platform. The mains criteria were static
 equilibrium on one foot and two feet (with eyes open and closed) and secondary criteria were
 stride frequency during the walk on the spot and stability limits.

 An improvement of these multiple criteria during the different sessions would be proof of the
 positive effect of experimental balance shoes on postural balance in the elderly.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Subjects from 65 to 75 years old

 -  Healthy subjects

 -  Having given their written informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Subject who has fallen during the six months prior to the study.

 -  Subject who moves with walking aids.

 -  Subject with severe balance problems or unable to stand up without help

 -  Subject who takes sedatives or sleeping pills

 -  Subject with neurological disease (dizziness including turning dizziness, multiple
 sclerosis, Parkinson's, etc.)

 -  Subject with history of heart attack

 -  Subject who is short of breath when inactive.

 -  Subject who has pains limiting walking and standing

 -  Subject who takes neuroleptics except Anti-depressors if the treatment is
 long-standing and well-balanced.