Final answer:
The statement 'Compared to older adults (e.g. 65+ years), younger adults typically take longer to respond to a perturbation in balance' is false. Age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system lead to older adults experiencing more difficulty in maintaining balance and being more susceptible to perturbations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Compared to older adults (e.g. 65+ years), younger adults typically take longer to respond to a perturbation in balance' is False.
Research on aging and balance has shown that older adults generally experience more difficulty in maintaining balance and are more susceptible to perturbations. This is due to age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system, such as reduced muscle strength, joint flexibility, and slower reaction times. Younger adults, on the other hand, typically have better balance control and quicker responses to perturbations.
In a study by Maki et al. (1990), participants ranging from 20 to 79 years old were subjected to external perturbations while standing on a platform. The study found that younger adults were able to recover faster and more effectively from perturbations compared to older adults.