scholarly journals Defining Normal Balance for Army Aviators

2019 ◽  
Vol 184 (7-8) ◽  
pp. e296-e300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie J Karch ◽  
Benton D Lawson ◽  
Lana S Milam
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Normative Values ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Clinically Normal ◽  
Flight Operations ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Military Service Member

Abstract Introduction One challenge clinicians face is determining when a military Service Member (SM) can return to duty after an injury that affects the postural control. The gold standard to measure postural control is the Sensory Organization Test (SOT). This test measures the amount of sway present in an individual’s static stance that may be used to examine range of function and monitor recovery from injury. Normative values currently available were developed using a sample of clinically normal adults from the general population (i.e., civilian non-aviator). Previous research suggests that these values should not be used as a comparative cohort for high-performing populations in the military. However, normative values, specific to military SMs, do not exist. The aim of this study was to develop a normative clinical database for functional balance (i.e., the SOT) for military-trained aviators, an occupational specialty that may consist of high performers. Materials and Methods Forty-three U.S. Army trained aviators, between 23 and 40 years old with medical clearance for flight operations from the Fort Rucker, Alabama area community consented and participated in this study. The SOT was delivered using the NeuroCom SMART EquiTest Clinical Research System with the Data Acquisition Toolkit (version 9.3). Results A statistically significant (p < 0.01) difference between the study cohort of Army-trained aviators and the publically available general civilian normative values was found for the more challenging conditions, in which the force plate was not fixed (i.e., conditions four through six). The study cohort of Army-trained aviators were found to have a higher equilibrium score in each of these three conditions. Similarly, a significant difference (p < 0.01) between the two cohorts was found on the visual and vestibular sensory analysis ratios, and the visual preference scores (i.e., greater reliance upon visual information in the maintenance of balance). The study cohort were found to have a higher ratios (i.e., greater dependence upon these sensory cues) in each of these conditions. Conclusion Army-trained aviators are high-functioning performers whose SOT scores differ from that of the general civilian population, particularly for the more challenging test conditions. New normative values were developed from this study population. Use of the developed normative values could be used as a comparative cohort in screening aviators who are recovering from injuries that affect postural stability.

scholarly journals Center of pressure-based postural sway differences on parallel and single leg stance in Olympic deaf basketball and volleyball players

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 418-427
Author(s):  
Yücel Makaracı ◽  
Recep Soslu ◽  
Ömer Özer ◽  
Abdullah Uysal
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Postural Stability ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Single Leg Stance ◽  
Volleyball Players

In sports such as basketball and volleyball, loss of balance due to the inability to maintain body stability and lack of postural control adversely affect athletic performance. Deaf athletes appear to struggle with balance and postural stability problems. The purpose of this study was to examine postural sway values in parallel and single leg stance of Olympic deaf basketball and volleyball players and reveal differences between the branches. Twenty-three male athletes from the Turkish national deaf basketball (n= 11) and volleyball (n= 12) teams participated in the study. After anthropometric measurements, the subjects completed postural sway (PS) tests in parallel/single leg stances with open eyes and closed eyes on a force plate. PS parameters (sway path, velocity, and area) obtained from the device software were used for the statistical analysis. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare differences in PS parameters between basketball and volleyball players, and the alpha value was accepted as 0.05. Volleyball players had significantly better results in parallel stance and dominant leg PS values than basketball players (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in nondominant leg PS values (P>0.05). We think that proprioceptive and vestibular system enhancing training practices to be performed with stability exercises will be beneficial in terms of both promoting functional stability and interlimb coordination. Trainers and strength coaches should be aware of differences in the postural control mechanism of deaf athletes.

scholarly journals The Effect of Cognitive Task on Postural Control Dynamic Regularity of Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability When Standing on an Unstable Surface

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-168
Author(s):  
Shahab Asgari ◽  
◽  
Esmaeel Ebrahimi Takamjani ◽  
Reza Salehi ◽  
Soheil Mansour Sohani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Ankle Instability ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Sample Entropy ◽  
Chronic Ankle Instability ◽  
Dual Task Condition ◽  
Control Behavior ◽  
Unstable Surface ◽  
Significant Difference

Background and Objectives: Postural control disorder is a common complication in patients with Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI). The present study aimed to investigate the effect of dual cognitive task on postural control behavior with regard to the Center of Pressure (CoP) signal regularity while standing on an unstable surface in athletes with CAI. Methods: In the present study, 58 men participated in two groups of healthy and patients with CAI. The CoP signal was examined in 4 different unstable states on the wobble board located at the center of the force plate. The regularity of the signals recorded from the force plate was investigated using sample entropy in two directions: anterior-posterior and medial-lateral. Results: In both groups, there was a significant difference in CoP’s sample entropy signal when performing a cognitive task with a postural task (P<0.001). There was a significant difference between the two groups in the cognitive task and the single task in the anteroposterior direction while standing on two legs. Conclusion: During dual tasks, the patients with CAI have a more dynamic regularity in the CoP signal than their normal counterparts. In the dual-task condition, more irregularities are observed in the CoP signal of healthy individuals. In unstable conditions, patients with CAI decrease the adaptability of postural control behavior with increasing CoP signal regularity.

Military service member and veteran reintegration: A critical review and adapted ecological model.

2017 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine A. Elnitsky ◽  
Cara L. Blevins ◽  
Michael P. Fisher ◽  
Kathryn Magruder
Keyword(s):  
Critical Review ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Service Member ◽  
Military Service Member

Prospective study of anxiety, post-traumatic stress and depression on postural control, gait, otolith and visuospatial function in military service members with persistent post-concussive symptoms

2019 ◽  
pp. 271-287
Author(s):  
◽  
Andrew Lewandowski ◽  
Lindell K. Weaver ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
High Anxiety ◽  
Affective Symptoms ◽  
Military Service Members ◽  
Post Traumatic

Purpose: Military service members often report both affective and vestibular complaints after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), but associations between symptoms and vestibular deficits can be subtle and inconsistent. Methods: From two complementary studies, one of military service members with persistent post-concussive symptoms after mTBI (NCT01611194) and the other of adult volunteers with no history of brain injury (NCT01925963), affective symptoms were compared to postural control, gait, otolith and visuospatial function. Results: The studies enrolled 71 participants with mTBI and 75 normative controls. Participants with mTBI had significantly reduced postural equilibrium on the sensory organization test (SOT), and more so in those with high anxiety or post-traumatic stress. Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP; oVEMP) showed prolonged latencies in mTBI participants compared to controls; oVEMPs were significantly delayed in mTBI participants with high anxiety, post-traumatic stress or depression. A subset of the mTBI group had abnormal tandem gait and high anxiety. Anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and depression did not correlate with performance on the 6-Minute Walk Test, visuospatial neuropsychological measures, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale in the mTBI group. Conclusions: In this study military service members with mTBI reported affective symptoms, concurrently with vestibular-balance concerns. Worse scores on affective measures were associated with abnormal findings on measures of postural control, gait and otolith function.

INFLUENCE OF FOOT INSOLE ON THE GAIT PERFORMANCE IN SUBJECTS WITH FLAT FOOT DISORDER

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (06) ◽  
pp. 1950050
Author(s):  
M. T. KARIMI ◽  
R. B. TAHMASEBI ◽  
B. SATVATI ◽  
F. FATOYE
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Ankle Joint ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Flat Foot ◽  
Gait Performance ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Foot Disorder

Flat foot is the most common foot disorder that influences the alignment of the lower limb structure. It is controversial whether the use of foot insole influences kinetic and kinematic of the leg or not. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of foot insole on the gait performance in subjects with flat foot disorder. A group of flat foot subject was recruited into this study (the number of subjects was 15). The motion of the leg joints was determined using the Qualysis motion analysis system. Moreover, the force applied on the lower limb was recorded by a Kistler force plate. The range of motion of the lower limb joints, the moments applied on the lower limb joints and force transmitted through the leg were the parameters used in this study. The difference between these parameters during walking with and without insole was evaluated using the paired [Formula: see text]-test. Significant value was set at [Formula: see text]. There was no significant difference between the range of motion of ankle joint while walking with and without insole. However, the medial directed force applied on the leg decreased significantly [Formula: see text]. The use of foot insole did not influence the moments transmitted through the hip and knee joints. The walking speed of the subjects improved while walking with foot insole. Use of foot insole influenced the magnitude of the force applied on the leg and the adductor moment of ankle joint due to its influence on foot alignment. As the walking speed of the improved subjects follows the use of insole, it can be concluded that it may have a positive effects on the performance of flat foot subjects.

The effect of proprioceptive training on postural control in people with diabetes: A randomized clinical trial comparing delivery at home, under supervision, or no training

2021 ◽  
pp. 026921552198901
Author(s):  
Nathalia Cristina de Souza Borges ◽  
Ariane Hidalgo Mansano Pletsch ◽  
Mariana Barbosa Buzato ◽  
Natalia Akemi Yamada Terada ◽  
Fernanda Maria Ferreira da Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Functional Tests ◽  
Supervised Training ◽  
Proprioceptive Training ◽  
Home Training

Objective: Analyze postural control in the bipedal position as well as during gait and functional tests in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after supervised and unsupervised proprioceptive training. Design: A three-group randomized controlled trial. Setting: Physiotherapeutic Resources Lab, Department of Health Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo Subjects: Eighty patients with type 2 diabetes allocated to three groups: control, home training, and supervised training. Interventions: The supervised and home training groups performed two weekly sessions of proprioceptive exercises for 12 weeks. The control group was not submitted to any of treatment. Main measures: Bipedal balance, gait, and performance on functional tests were evaluated before and after 12 weeks using the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) and the force plate. Results: No significant improvements were found regarding postural control, gait, or performance on the functional tests, as evidenced by the inter-group comparisons of the total BESTest score [control: 90.7 (81.5–92.6); home training: 85.2 (77.8–90.3); supervised training: 88.4 (82.6–91.4), P > 0.05] as well as the tests performed on the force plate ( P > 0.05). The clinical effect size of the proposed intervention was less than 0.2, demonstrating no effect for the main outcome variable evaluated by the “Sensory Orientation” item of the BESTest and by the mCTSIB (pressure plate). Conclusions: The proposed proprioceptive training did not lead to improvements in postural control in patients with type 2 diabetes with no clinical signs of diabetic distal polyneuropathy when analyzed using the BESTest clinical evaluation and a force plate. Trial registration: NCT01861392 (clinicaltrials.gov).

Exploring The Effect of Visual Information Degradation on Human Perception and Performance In A Human-Telerobot System

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1302-1307
Author(s):  
Richard Stone ◽  
Minglu Wang ◽  
Thomas Schnieders ◽  
Esraa Abdelall
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Human Perception ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Hit Rate ◽  
Word Level ◽  
Level Of Automation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Human Operators ◽  
And Performance ◽  
High Level

Human-robotic interaction system are increasingly becoming integrated into industrial, commercial and emergency service agencies. It is critical that human operators understand and trust automation when these systems support and even make important decisions. The following study focused on human-in-loop telerobotic system performing a reconnaissance operation. Twenty-four subjects were divided into groups based on level of automation (Low-Level Automation (LLA), and High-Level Automation (HLA)). Results indicated a significant difference between low and high word level of control in hit rate when permanent error occurred. In the LLA group, the type of error had a significant effect on the hit rate. In general, the high level of automation was better than the low level of automation, especially if it was more reliable, suggesting that subjects in the HLA group could rely on the automatic implementation to perform the task more effectively and more accurately.

scholarly journals The Role of Past Suicidal Behavior on Current Suicidality: A Retrospective Study in the Israeli Military

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 649
Author(s):  
Leah Shelef ◽  
Jessica M Rabbany ◽  
Peter M Gutierrez ◽  
Ron Kedem ◽  
Ariel Ben Yehuda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Severity Rating ◽  
Significant Difference

Past suicide attempts are a significant risk factor for future suicidality. Therefore, the present military-based study examined the past suicidal behavior of soldiers who recently made a severe suicide attempt. Our sample consisted of 65 active-duty soldiers (61.5% males), between the ages of 18 and 28 years old (M = 20.4, SD ± 1.3). The inclusion criterion was a recent severe suicide attempt, requiring at least a 24 h hospitalization. This sample was divided into two groups, according to previous suicidal behavior, namely whether their first suicide attempt was before or after enlistment (n = 25; 38.5% and n = 40; 61.5%, respectively). We then examined the lethality and intent of the recent event in regard to this division. Four measures were used to assess the subjects’ suicidal characteristics: the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, the Self-Harm Behavior Questionnaire, the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised, and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation. No significant difference in the severity of the suicide attempts (either actual or potential severity) were found between those who had suicide attempts before enlistment and those who had their first attempt in the service. As a matter of fact, most of the suicide attempts that occurred for the first time during military service had used a violent method (58.3%, n = 21). Finally, using multivariate analyses, we found that current thoughts and behavior, rather than past suicidality, was the strongest predictor for the lethality of suicide attempts.

“Going Backward”: Effects of age and fatigue on posterior-directed falls in Parkinson disease

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Evan V. Papa ◽  
Rita M. Patterson ◽  
Nicoleta Bugnariu
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Angular Displacement ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Peak Knee ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Fatiguing Exercise

BACKGROUND: Nearly half of persons with Parkinson disease (PD) report fatigue as a factor in their fall history. However, it is unknown whether these self-reported falls are caused by a sensation of fatigue or performance fatigue. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the influences of performance fatigue and age on postural control in persons with PD. METHODS: Individuals with PD (n = 14) underwent postural control assessments before (T0) and immediately after (T1) fatiguing exercise. Biomechanical data were gathered on participants completing a treadmill-induced, posterior-directed fall. Performance fatigue was produced using lower extremity resistance exercise on an isokinetic ergometer. Repeated measures ANCOVAs were used with age as a covariate to determine the effects of performance fatigue on biomechanical variables. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, there was a statistically significant difference in peak center of pressure (COP) latency during the support phase of recovery. Pairwise comparisons demonstrated a decrease in peak ankle displacement from T0 to T1. Age was also found to be significantly related to reaction time and peak knee displacement while participants were fatigued. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased peak COP latency, along with decreased ankle angular displacement, suggest that persons with PD adopt a stiffening strategy in response to backward directed falls. Postural stiffening is not uncommon in persons with PD and could be a risk factor for falls. Older individuals with PD demonstrate slower mobility scores and decreased reaction times in the setting of fatigue, suggesting a combined effect of the aging and fatigue processes.

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