BONE

The bone is a rigid body tissue that makes up our body skeleton. The bone is a connective tissue
that is made up of different types of cells. Internally, it has a honeycomb-like matrix that gives
rigidity to bones. The primary function of the bones is to provide structural support to the body
and enable mobility. As a result of the ageing process, bone deteriorates in composition,
structure and function, which predisposes to osteoporosis. Bone is a dynamic organ that serves
mechanical and homeostatic functions. It undergoes a continual self-regeneration process called
remodeling i.e., removing old bone and replacing it with new bone. Bone formation and bone
resorption is coupled tightly in a balance to maintain bone mass and strength. With aging this
balance moves in a negative direction, resulting in greater bone resorption than bone formation.
This combination of bone mass deficiency and reduction in strength ultimately results in
osteoporosis and insufficiency fractures.
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Also known as the spinal column, is the central axis of the skeleton in all vertebrates. The
vertebral column provides attachments to muscles, supports the trunk, protects the spinal cord
and nerve roots and serves as a site for hemopoiesis. Aging of the spine results in a number of
painful disorders. As people age, the disks between the back bones (vertebrae) become hard
and brittle, and parts of the vertebrae may overgrow. As a result, the disks lose some of
their capacity to cushion, so more pressure is put on the spinal cord and on the branches of
the nerves that emerge from it (spinal nerve roots). The increased pressure may injure nerve
fibers at the point where they leave the spinal cord. Such injury can result in decreased sensation
and sometimes decreased strength and balance. The loss of bone mass leads to fractures of the
end plate or of the vertebral body. These fractures give rise to pain, loss of height and deformity.
Their impact on daily activities and quality of life is also especially detrimental.
POSTURE AND GAIT
The older adults present gait deterioration, such as changes in walking rhythm, shortening of the
step length, and decreases in gait speed. These factors, combined with age-related lower activity
levels, lead to postural instability and an increased risk of falls. These falls may occur during
daily activities, which is a major problem as the consequences might induce a loss of mobility,
decreased independence and quality of life, or even increased mortality among the older
population. There is evidence that one of the main factors influencing falling is poor balance.
Changes in postural control, which lead to a balance deficit, appear prior to a fall incident.
Therefore, an early and proper balance diagnostic is crucial in preventing serious injuries as a
consequence of falls. As falls and the resulting injuries are one of the most serious health
concerns that face the older adults, it is important that we understand how the changes in postural
control may affect the locomotor tasks.