Neurodevelopmental contributors to standing balance in mid-to-later life: findings from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blodgett, Joanna M; Kuh, Diana; Davis, Daniel H J; Cooper, Rachel
• Is Part Of: Lancet. Volume 390(2017)Supplement 3
• Page Start: S24
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Medicine; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32959-8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-6736

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Balance impairments and subsequent increased risk of falling are a growing concern in older populations, yet there is little research examining contributing factors from early life. We aimed to examine associations of neurodevelopmental markers with standing balance measured on three occasions in later life. Methods: The MRC National Survey of Health and Development is a nationally representative sample of 5362 individuals who were born in England, Scotland, and Wales in March, 1946, and have been followed up 24 times across life. Ages of first sitting, standing, walking, and talking were reported by participants' mothers at age 2 years; adolescent coordination was measured with finger and foot tapping tasks at age 15; and cognitive ability was assessed with standardised tests at ages 8, 11, and 15. At ages 53, 60–64, and 69, the time that participants could stand on one leg with their eyes closed up to a maximum of 30 s was recorded. Linear regression models estimated the associations between each neurodevelopmental marker and log-transformed balance times at each age, adjusted for sex, socioeconomic position, physical activity, height, and weight. Individuals with at least one valid balance measure and data on one or more neurodevelopmental marker were included in analyses. Findings: 2875 individuals were included. There was little evidence of associations between age of milestone attainment and balance. However, a 1 SD increase in childhood cognitive ability was associated with 12% (95% CI 8–15), 5% (2–9), and 4% (0·01–8%) increases in balance time at ages 53, 60–64, and 69, respectively. In addition, 10 tap per min increases in finger and foot tapping were associated with 2–4% (95% CI 0·1–5) improvements in balance time at all ages. Interpretation: There was evidence of modest associations between higher childhood cognitive ability, better adolescent motor coordination, and balance performance from midlife. Further research is needed to elucidate the direct and indirect roles that neurodevelopmental processes may have in maintaining balance in later life and why some factors that mark these processes are more important than others. Understanding these associations may have important implications for falls risk and maintenance of physical capability. Funding: Medical Research Council (programme code MC_UU_12019/4).