Emory University Study Finds Aging and Parkinson's Force Brain to Overcompensate During Minor Balance Disruptions

New Emory University research shows that older adults use more brain energy to stay balanced, ironically making them less likely to recover from a fall.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 5:12 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Society for Neuroscience

The Energetic Cost of Maintaining Equilibrium

Maintaining balance is often viewed as an automatic physical process, but new research from Emory University reveals the significant cognitive load it places on aging populations. By simulating balance disruptions—effectively pulling a rug out from under participants—Professor Lena Ting and her team tracked the resulting neural and muscular waves of activity. While young adults typically rely on an involuntary brainstem response for minor slips, older adults and those with Parkinson's disease show a much more intense second wave of brain activity even for small disturbances. This suggests that for these vulnerable groups, balance is no longer a "background" task but one that requires active, high-energy brain engagement.

Neural Overcompensation and Reduced Recovery Robustness

A central finding of the study is the inverse relationship between brain effort and balance success. The data suggests that when the brain is forced to over-engage to maintain stability, the individual's actual ability to recover from a fall is diminished. According to Professor Ting, the requirement for more brain activity serves as a marker for a less robust recovery system. This "overcompensation" indicates that the body's natural, fluid corrective mechanisms are being replaced by a more rigid, conscious-level neural command, which is slower and less effective at preventing a tumble.

Muscle Stiffening as a Barrier to Recovery

Beyond brain activity, the research highlighted a specific mechanical failure in how muscles respond during balance recovery. In healthy, younger subjects, the body activates specific muscles to counteract a fall while keeping opposing muscles relaxed. In contrast, the study found that when older adults or Parkinson's patients activate a muscle to recover, the opposing muscles simultaneously stiffen up. This co-contraction creates a state of physical rigidity that was directly linked to poorer balance performance in the tests. Instead of a targeted corrective movement, the body becomes locked, making a successful recovery much more difficult.