Physiology And Injuries In Sports — Physical Education STD 12 Commerce — Question

Changes in senses: With advancing age, the senses such as vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch, etc., may become less acute. Vision and hearing are most affected by ageing. The main changes in senses are elaborated below.

1. Change in Vision: Visual impairment is the most common sensory problem of ageing. In 40's, the pupil begins to decrease in size and in response to light. The lenses in the eyes become less flexible. The change in vision can affect the ability to drive safely. Retina becomes less efficient. The lens of the eye becomes yellow, more rigid and slightly cloudy.
2. Changes in Hearing: Hearing loss is common with ageing. The sense of balance weakens with ageing. The older people may complain of dizziness and find it difficult to move quickly without losing their balance. Tinnitus is more common among older adults.
3. Changes in Taste: Taste also diminishes with age. In fact, total number of taste buds are reduced with ageing and so the elderly people experience some decline in the ability to taste. It can cause loss of interest in food.
4. Change in Smell: After the age of 50, the sense of smell decreases rapidly. As a matter of fact, the number of functioning smell receptors in the upper sinus decreases.