Maintaining balance can become increasingly difficult as age increases. Which normal characteristic(s) of an older adult's musculoskeletal system potentially contribute(s) to this mobility problem?

Question

a. Stability of joints
b. Decrease in muscle bulk
c. Limited range of motion
d. Abnormal joint contours
e. Decreased tissue regeneration
f. Impaired glucose metabolism

Answer 1

B, C, D, E

a. Incorrect. Joint instability can be common among older adults.
b. Correct. Decreased muscle bulk due to sarcopenia contributes to the loss of balance be-cause muscles used to maintain balance are smaller and weaker.
c. Correct. Older adults tend to lose joint flexibility. As a result, balance is more difficult to maintain because the body is stiffer and less able to compensate when the weight shifts off center.
d. Correct. Abnormal joint movement from a life of normal joint wear and tear contributes to loss of balance by abnormally aligning bones to create imbalance. In addition, the joint abnormalities are likely to cause pain, which can cause an individual to favor that area and therefore contributes to imbalance.
e. Correct. Decreased tissue regeneration contributes to muscle wasting.
f. Incorrect. Although impaired glucose metabolism can occur with increasing age, glucose metabolism can be only indirectly related to balance, such as if an older adult becomes dizzy.