Investigating Center-of-Pressure Based Parameters to Quantify Athlete and Non-Athlete Balance

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara A. Thompson ◽  
Mehdi Badache
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Standing Balance ◽  
Body Sway ◽  
Foot Placement ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Position Time Series ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Base Of Support

Through ground reaction (foot) forceplate-based, center-of-pressure (COP) parameters, we aimed to investigate differences in standing balance for young, healthy individuals from both athlete (soccer) and non-athlete subject populations. We investigated five, COP displacement and velocity parameters derived from the COP position time series. Soccer athlete and non-athlete subjects performed standing balance for postural tasks of increasing difficulty levels, by varying visual cues (eyes-open/eyes-closed) and base of support (wide/tandem foot placement), leading to four test conditions: 1) wide/eyes-open, 2) wide/eyes-closed, 3) tandem/eyes-open, 4) tandem/eyes-closed. By investigating position and velocity characteristics of the COP position time series, we observed that the soccer athletes had generally lower COP displacement and velocity parameters (meaning they were more stable and perhaps better able to control their body sway) than the non-athletes. This study lends new insights as to how parameters derived from the COP position can be utilized to determine differences in balance between normal subject populations (e.g., athletes versus non-athletes).

Evaluation of Standing Balance Performance in Indian Classical Dancers

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-23
Author(s):  
Juhi K. Bharnuke ◽  
Rajani P. Mullerpatan ◽  
Claire Hiller
Keyword(s):  
Dual Task ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Standing Balance ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Classical Dance ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Second Dual ◽  
Indian Classical Dance ◽  
Base Of Support

Indian classical dance involves a constant change of the base of support from stance to low jumps and spins along with intricate footwork. Graceful movement of the torso, shifting from side to side and turning around the axis of the spine, challenges balance. Yet, balance performance remains unexplored in Indian classical dancers. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the standing balance of 36 active female dancers (18 to 25 years of age) who had performed Indian classical dance for a minimum of 10 years with 36 healthy age-matched women not involved in regular physical activity. Balance was evaluated in static and dynamic conditions of single and dual-limb stance on a force plate using center-of-pressure trajectory and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Dancers demonstrated better balance on both instrumented and non-instrumented outcome variables: wide base of support with eyes open and with eyes closed; for 30-second single limb stance with eyes open and with eyes closed; for 13-second dual task in single limb stance; and for 22-second dual task in wide base of support. The SEBT revealed significantly better balance performance of dancers in the three directions tested: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral. There was also a strength component of the study on which the dancers achieved significantly higher scores than controls for the three muscle groups tested (gastrocsoleus, gluteus medius, and quadriceps), which can be attributed to their training. These findings can be used to recommend classical dance training to achieve the dual purpose of deriving better balance and stronger bodies and maintaining the Indian dance heritage.

scholarly journals The influence of an aquatic exercise program on balance in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarida Ferreira ◽  
Cristina Mesquita ◽  
Paula Santos ◽  
João Borges ◽  
Maria Graça ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Aquatic Exercise ◽  
Body Sway ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Eyes Open

Abstract Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that leads to a limitation of mobility, which can cause postural deficits and progressive loss of balance. Aquatic exercise improves this health condition. The objetive is to verify the influence of an aquatic exercise program, on balance and functionality, in individuals with AS. Methods Pre-experimental study carried out on 6 individuals with AS. All individuals were assessed at baseline (M0) and 12 weeks after the intervention (M1) using the Bath indices (BASMI, BASFI and BASDAI) and the balance assessment protocol (‘Body Sway’) by the Physiosensing Platform. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Program Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26. Were used descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon test to compare M0 and M1. The significance value was 0.05. Results We verify improvements in BASMI (P = 0.046), BASFI (P = 0.042) and BASDAI (P = 0.027) scores. Through the analysis of the center of pressure variables, there were no statistically significant differences, between moments, in the protocol. However, when assessing balance, in the anteroposterior mean distance in both the protocol (eyes open) and in the protocol (eyes closed), in the root mean square in both protocols and in mediolateral mean velocity, only in the protocol (eyes open), there was a slight decrease in the median value. Conclusions The present study suggests that the specific aquatic exercise program, may influence balance and improve functionality in a population with AS. Therefore, the Bath indices translate improvements in the symptoms and functionalities of these participants.

scholarly journals Age-Related Changes in Human Posture Control: Sensory Organization Tests

1990 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Peterka ◽  
F.O. Black
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Body Sway ◽  
Support Surface ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Sensory Organization ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Orientation Cues ◽  
Anterior Posterior

Postural control was measured in 214 human subjects ranging in age from 7 to 81 y. Sensory organization tests measured the magnitude of anterior-posterior body sway during six 21 s trials in which visual and somatosensory orientation cues were normal, altered (by rotating the visual surround and support surface in proportion to the subject’s sway), or vision eliminated (eyes closed). No age-related increase in postoral sway was found for subjects standing on a fixed support surface with eyes open or closed. However, age-related increases in sway were found for conditions involving altered visual or somatosensory cues. Subjects older tban about 55 y showed the largest sway increases. Subjects younger than about 15 y were also sensitive to alteration of sensory cues. On average, the older subjects were more affected by altered visual cues, whereas younger subjects had more difficulty with altered somatosensory cues.

Investigating Female Athletes’ Balance Using Center-of-Pressure (COP) Derived Displacement and Velocity Parameters

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Badache ◽  
Lonika Behera ◽  
Nian Zhang ◽  
Lara A. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Difficulty Level ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Athletic Activities ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Track Athletes

A realization of how specific exercises relate to balance performance is important for a wide demographic of individuals. Maintaining active and healthy living is particularly important for balance-impaired individuals (e.g., otherwise healthy individuals recovering from injury, fall-prone elderly, and stroke survivors) whom are interested in improving their balance for function in daily life. However, balance performance is also important for persons that are unimpaired (e.g., athletes). How balance performance may be improved as a result of, and in relation to, various athletic activities and exercises is a common question. Further, how certain activities can be used to prevent injury is an ultimate goal. Our objective was to compare standing balance in 3 unimpaired groups (i.e., female track & female tennis collegiate athletes and female non-athletes). To assess static balance, participants performed stance variations increasing in difficulty-level, utilizing a wide or tandem stance (increasing or decreasing support base) and eyes-open or eyes-closed (limiting or providing visual cues), while standing on a forceplate walkway. Through the recorded ground reaction forceplate-based, center-of-pressure (COP) position time series, we extracted velocity and displacement parameters that aided in identifying differences between the above groups. Our general findings were that anterior-posterior (AP, or front-to-back) COP displacement and velocity measures for female track athletes were unchanged relative to the (baseline) female non-athletes. However, mediolateral (ML, or side-to-side) measures, which have previously been shown to be associated with fall-risk, showed observable differences in displacement and velocity parameters, particularly for the female track athletes. Specifically, the female track athletes were better able to control their ML COP velocity in eyes-closed, wide, and eyes-open tandem conditions compared to non-athletes. However, tennis athletes had difficulty balancing in situations where eyes were closed (vision eliminated) and feet were tandem (base-of-support decreased) which was made apparent by the increases in all AP and ML COP-derived parameters. We interpreted this finding as the female tennis athletes were trained to rely heavily on visual cues (e.g., hand-eye or eye-body coordination), and also their balance may be more focused on maintaining their center-of-mass stability and body orientation, as opposed to COP per se. Our study lends new insights as to how various types of athletic activities, and reliance on vision in athletes, impacts balance performance in un-impaired females.

scholarly journals Three-Month Test-Retest Reliability of Center of Pressure Motion During Standing Balance in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas A. Wajda ◽  
Robert W. Motl ◽  
Jacob J. Sosnoff
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Temporal Structure ◽  
Standing Balance ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Prevention Studies ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Balance Deficits ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Background: Balance impairment and an increased rate of falls are commonly reported in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Force platform–generated center of pressure (COP) metrics have previously been recommended as an outcome measure to quantify balance deficits and distinguish between fallers and nonfallers in MS. Information is limited regarding the preservation of postural control in individuals with MS over extended time frames in the absence of an intervention. This report examines the test-retest reliability and magnitude of change of COP motion during standing balance over 3 months. Methods: Twenty individuals with MS and a history of falling underwent testing on two occasions 3 months apart in the absence of an intervention. On both occasions, participants completed two 30-second trials of three conditions: eyes open, eyes closed, and eyes open with concurrent cognitive challenge (dual task). Measures of COP area, velocity, and temporal structure were calculated and included in the reliability analysis. Results: The COP metrics displayed fair-to-excellent reliability over 3 months without an intervention. Reliability was maintained across the three commonly used balance conditions. Conclusions: These results offer insight into the reliability of COP measures over a 3-month period in MS and can inform the use of COP metrics for future study design (eg, sample size estimates) and balance outcome assessment during randomized controlled trials and fall-prevention studies in individuals with MS.

scholarly journals RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POSTURAL ALIGNMENT IN STANDING BY PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND STATIC BALANCE IN CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 359
Author(s):  
Aija Klavina ◽  
Zinta Galeja
Keyword(s):  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Body Sway ◽  
Static Balance ◽  
Pressure Amplitude ◽  
Bipedal Stance ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Postural Alignment ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Moderate Positive Correlation

This study was executed to explore correlation between postural alignment in standing measured through photogrammetry and static balance in children with visual, hearing, intellectual and physical disability. METHODS: Participants were 34 children (age 7-12 years) including 8 children with hearing, 8 with visual, 6 with physical, and 12 children with intellectual disabilities Postural alignment in standing was measured through photogrammetry. Static balance data were obtained in 15 s bipedal stance with eyes open and eyes closed, and also in 10 s unipedal stance. A force plate was used to collect data of Centre of Pressure amplitude in anterior-posterior, medio-lateral directions and velocity. Correlation was obtained using Spearman's Rank Correlation co-efficient in SPSS software (version 19.0). RESULTS: Moderate positive correlation (r = 0.338 to r = 425; p ≤ 0.05) was found between angle of head position and angle of frontal and sagittal ASIS and PSIS level. Also, moderate positive correlation was found between angles in shoulder level and angles of the head (r =  .365 to r = .453, p < .05). In assessing the static balance outcomes between the four groups, results presented significant differences in results during bipedal stance with eyes open. CONCLUSION: Degree of forward head posture correlates directly with hip and shoulder anatomical placement. Children with intellectual disability presented larger displacement of the center of pressure with more body sway observed during eyes open condition.

scholarly journals Effects of Visual Cues on the Standing Body Sway of Males and Females

1972 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 951-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seymour Weissman ◽  
Ernest Dzendolet
Keyword(s):  
Visual System ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Standing Position ◽  
Body Sway ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Power Spectral ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Density Analysis ◽  
Power Spectral Density Analysis

6 male and 6 female Ss, in a standing position, were exposed for 4 min. to the following conditions: eyes closed, vertical luminous red, horizontal luminous rod, diagonal right luminous rod, eyes closed—body lean left, and eyes open with view of experimental room. Each student was tested in a single session, with the six conditions presented according to their position in a Latin square design. Power spectral density analysis of body sway showed little influence of the visual system in the maintenance of static equilibrium. Possible effects of the visual system in more active or stressful body conditions were discussed.

scholarly journals Postural control in high-level kata and kumite karatekas

2017 ◽  
pp. 21-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gérome C. Gauchard ◽  
Alexis Lion ◽  
Loïc Bento ◽  
Philippe P. Perrin ◽  
Hadrien Ceyte
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Body Sway ◽  
Quiet Stance ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Reduced Body ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Tactile Cues ◽  
High Level ◽  
Cue Availability

Postural performance may vary according to the constraints related to the practice of different martial arts. This study aimed to investigate the visual and tactile contribution in balance control: (i) between karatekas and sedentary controls; (ii) between kata and kumite specialists within the elite karatekas. Balance control in quiet stance of 23 high-level karatekas (11 kata and 12 kumite specialists) and of 24 sedentary controls was evaluated in four sensory context conditions, a combination of visual cue availability (eyes open or closed) and tactile support reliability (firm or foam surface). The results showed that karatekas had a reduced body sway and a smaller sway area compared to controls, especially in the more challenging condition, i.e. eyes closed on a foam surface. Moreover, kata karatekas tended to have a reduced body sway and a smaller sway area than kumite karatekas in all sensory conditions. The practice of karate may enhance balance control in quiet stance by optimizing the role of tactile cues and by decreasing the weighting of visual cues. Moreover, the specialization into different karateka practices may induce the implementation of specific postural strategies to solve a given balance problem.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Postural Stability among 13-Year-Old Alpine Skiers

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 3859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka D. Jastrzębska
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Postural Balance ◽  
Lactate Concentration ◽  
Blood Lactate Concentration ◽  
Body Sway ◽  
Foot Pressure ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Alpine Skiers

This experiment examined changes in body sway after Wingate test (WAnT) in 19 adolescents practicing alpine skiing, subjected to the same type of training load for 4–5 years (10 girls and nine boys). The postural examinations were performed with eyes open (EO), eyes closed (EC), and sway reverenced vision (SRV) in the medial-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) planes. The displacement of center of foot pressure (CoP), range of sway (RS), mean sway velocity (MV), way length, and surface area were measured in bipedal upright stance before and after the WAnT to assess the influence of fatigue on postural balance. There were no significant differences in WAnT parameters between girls and boys. Relative peak power (RPP), relative total work (RWtot) were (girls vs. boys) 8.89 ± 0.70 vs. 9.57 ± 1.22 W/kg, p < 0.05 and 227.91 ± 14.98 vs. 243.22 ± 30.24 W/kg, p < 0.05 respectively. The fatigue index (FI) was also on similar level in both genders; however, blood lactate concentration (BLa) was significantly higher in boys (10.35 ± 1.16 mM) than in girls (8.67 ± 1.35 mM) p = 0.007. In the EO examination, statistically significant differences between resting and fatigue conditions in the whole group and after the division into girls and boys were found. In fatigue conditions, significant gender differences were noted for measurements in the ML plane (sway path and RS) and RS in the AP plane. Comparison of the three conditions shows differences between EO vs. EC and SRV in AP plane measured parameters, and for RS in ML plane in rest condition in girls. The strong correlations between FI and CoP parameters mainly in ML plane in the whole group for all examination conditions were noted. By genders, mainly RS in ML plane strongly correlates with FI (r > 0.7). No correlation was found between BLa and CoP parameters (p > 0.06). The presented results indicate that subjecting adolescents of both genders to the same training may reduce gender differences in the postural balance ability at rest but not in fatigue conditions and that girls are significantly superior in postural balance in the ML plane than boys. It was also shown that too little or too much information may be destructive to postural balance in young adolescents.

Effects of hypothermic anesthesia of the feet on vibration-induced body sway and adaptation

2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Stål ◽  
P.A. Fransson ◽  
M. Magnusson ◽  
M. Karlberg
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Body Sway ◽  
Cutaneous Mechanoreceptors ◽  
Supporting Surface ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Somatosensory Input ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Sensor Information ◽  
Ice Water

The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of information from the plantar cutaneous mechanoreceptors in postural control and whether postural control could compensate for reduced cutaneous information by adaptation. Sixteen healthy subjects were tested with eyes open or eyes closed with hypothermic and normal feet temperature during posturography where body sway was induced by vibratory proprioceptive stimulation towards both calf muscles. The hypothermic anesthesia was obtained by cooling the subject's feet in ice water for 20 minutes. Body movements were evaluated by analyzing the anteroposterior and lateral torques induced towards the supporting surface by a force platform during the posturography tests. The reduction of cutaneous sensor information from the mechanoreceptors of the feet significantly increased the vibration-induced torque variance mainly in the anteroposterior direction. However, the effects of disturbed mechanoreceptors information was rapidly compensated for through postural adaptation and torque variance was in level with that without anesthesia within 50 to 100 seconds of stimulation, both when standing with eyes open and eyes closed. Our findings suggest that somatosensory input from mechanoreceptors in the foot soles contribute significantly in maintaining postural control, but the sensory loss could be compensated for.

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