Age-related differences on low back pain and postural control during one-leg stance: a case–control study

Background and Purpose The prevalence of chronic low back pain (CLBP) is higher in older than in younger adults and is associated with poor postural control and falls. The objective of this study was to compare the postural control of younger and older subjects with and without CLBP during a one-leg stance. Methods Twenty subjects with and 20 subjects without nonspecific CLBP participated in the study. Each group contained 10 younger (50 % males; mean age: 31 years) and 10 older adults (50 % males; mean age 71 years). The subjects performed three 30-s trials of a one-leg stance on a force platform. Balance parameters were computed to quantify postural control, including center of pressure (COP) area, mean velocity, and mean frequency in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions. Results Participants with CLBP presented significantly poorer balance ( P