Gender differences in the relative proprioceptive weighting ratio during local vibratory stimulation of older persons with lumbar spondylosis

[Purpose] To investigate gender differences in the relative proprioceptive weighting ratio (RPW) during application of vibration to the triceps surae and lumbar muscles of elderly persons. [Subjects] The subjects were 54 elderly inpatients (30 men, 24 women; average age, 74.7 ± 4.8 years) being treated for lumbar spondylosis. [Methods] A 60 Hz vibration was applied alternately to subjects’ triceps surae and lumbar spine muscles while they stood with their eyes closed. Subjects were divided by gender, and the results of age, height, weight, BMI, duration of disease, RPW, cross-sectional area of the lumbar muscles, lumbar lordosis angle, spinal muscle strength, and pain measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) were compared. [Results] The elderly women’s RPW showed a predominantly lower leg reaction. [Conclusion] At the same time as providing pain control, a functional improvement program for both trunk muscle function and proprioception is also needed for elderly women.