Changes in Posture Following a Single Session of Long-Duration Water Immersion

Transitioning between different sensory environments is known to affect sensorimotor function and postural control. Water immersion presents a novel environmental stimulus common to many professional and recreational pursuits, but is not well-studied with regard to its sensorimotor effects upon transitioning back to land. The authors investigated the effects of long-duration water immersion on terrestrial postural control outcomes in veteran divers. Eleven healthy men completed a 6-hour thermoneutral pool dive (4.57 m) breathing diver air. Center of pressure was observed before and 15 minutes after the dive under 4 conditions: (1) eyes open/stable surface (Open-Stable); (2) eyes open/foam surface (Open-Foam); (3) eyes closed/stable surface (Closed-Stable); and (4) eyes closed/foam surface (Closed-Foam). Postdive decreases in postural sway were observed in all testing conditions except for Open-Stable. The specific pattern of center of pressure changes in the postdive window is consistent with (1) a stiffening/overregulation of the ankle strategy during Open-Foam, Closed-Stable, and Closed-Foam or (2) acute upweighting of vestibular input along with downweighting of somatosensory, proprioceptive, and visual inputs. Thus, our findings suggest that postimmersion decreases in postural sway may have been driven by changes in weighting of sensory inputs and associated changes in balance strategy following adaptation to the aquatic environment.

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Maximal stability limits in adolescents with Tourette syndrome

Journal of Advanced Pediatrics and Child Health ◽

10.29328/journal.japch.1001024 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 013-022

Author(s):

Blanchet Mariève ◽

Prince François ◽

Lemay Martin ◽

Chouinard Sylvain ◽

Messier Julie

Keyword(s):

Postural Control ◽

Tourette Syndrome ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Sensory Information ◽

Control Group ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Eyes Open ◽

Stability Limits

We explored if adolescents with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) had functional postural control impairments and how these deficits are linked to a disturbance in the processing and integration of sensory information. We evaluated the displacements of the center of pressure (COP) during maximal leaning in four directions (forward, backward, rightward, leftward) and under three sensory conditions (eyes open, eyes closed, eyes closed standing on foam). GTS adolescents showed deficits in postural stability and in lateral postural adjustments but they had similar maximal COP excursion than the control group. The postural performance of the GTS group was poorer in the eyes open condition (time to phase 1 onset, max-mean COP). Moreover, they displayed a poorer ability to maintain the maximum leaning position under the eyes open condition during mediolateral leaning tasks. By contrast, during forward leaning, they showed larger min-max ranges than control subjects while standing on the foam with the eyes closed. Together, these findings support the idea that GTS produces subclinical postural control deficits. Importantly, our results suggest that postural control disorders in GTS are highly sensitive to voluntary postural leaning tasks which have high demand for multimodal sensory integration.

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Characteristics of Standing Postural Control in Women under Additional Load

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17020490 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 490

Author(s):

Bożena Wojciechowska-Maszkowska ◽

Dorota Borzucka

Keyword(s):

Postural Control ◽

Postural Stability ◽

Postural Sway ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Stability Control ◽

Standing Posture ◽

Additional Load ◽

Eyes Open ◽

Heavy Loads ◽

Load Conditions

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of additional load on postural-stability control in young women. To evaluate postural control in the 34 women in this study (mean age, 20.8 years), we measured postural sway (center of pressure, COP) in a neutral stance (with eyes open) in three trials of 30 s each. Three load conditions were used in the study: 0, 14, and 30 kg. In analysis, we used three COP parameters, variability (linear), mean sway velocity (linear), and entropy (nonlinear). Results suggested that a considerable load on a young woman’s body (approximately 48% of body weight) had significant influence on stability. Specifically, heavy loads triggered random movements, increased the dynamics of postural-stability control, and required more attention to control standing posture. The results of our study indicate that inferior postural control mainly results from insufficient experience in lifting such a load.

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Reliability of Force-Platform Measures of Postural Sway and Expertise-Related Differences

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.20.4.442 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 442-456 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Zohreh Meshkati ◽

Mehdi Namazizadeh ◽

Mahyar Salavati ◽

Masood Mazaheri

Keyword(s):

Outcome Measures ◽

Postural Sway ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Specific Property ◽

Force Platform ◽

Quiet Standing ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Before And After ◽

Eyes Open

Context:Although reliability is a population-specific property, few studies have investigated the measurement error associated with force-platform parameters in athletic populations.Objective:To investigate the skill-related differences between athletes and nonathletes in reliability of center-of-pressure (COP) summary measures under eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions.Design:Test–retest reliability study.Setting:COP was recorded during double-leg quiet standing on a Kistler force platform before and after a fatiguing treadmill exercise, with EO and EC.Participants:31 male participants including 15 athletes practiced in karate and 16 nonathletes.Main Outcome Measures:Standard deviation (SD) of amplitude, phase-plane portrait, SD of velocity, mean total velocity, and area were calculated from 30-s COP data. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement, and coefficient of variation (CV) were used as estimates of reliability and precision.Results:Higher ICCs were found for COP measures in the athlete (compared with the nonathlete) group, postfatigued (compared with prefatigued) condition, and EC (compared with EO) tests. CVs smaller than 15% were obtained for most of the COP measures. SD of velocity in the anteroposterior direction showed the highest reliability in most conditions.Conclusions:Tests with EC and to a lesser extent tests performed in the athlete group and in the postfatigued condition showed better reliability.

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Variability in Postural Control With and Without Balance-Based Torso- Weighting in People With Multiple Sclerosis and Healthy Controls

Physical Therapy ◽

10.2522/ptj.20130288 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 94 (10) ◽

pp. 1489-1498 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Charlotte M. Hunt ◽

Gail Widener ◽

Diane D. Allen

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Postural Control ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Quiet Standing ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Movement Variability ◽

Lateral Direction ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Eyes Open

Background People with multiple sclerosis (MS) have diminished postural control, and center of pressure (COP) displacement varies more in this population than in healthy controls. Balance-based torso-weighting (BBTW) can improve clinical balance and mobility in people with MS, and exploration using both linear and nonlinear measures of COP may help determine whether BBTW optimizes movement variability. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of BBTW on people with MS and healthy controls during quiet standing. Design This was a quasi-experimental study comparing COP variability between groups, between eye closure conditions, and between weighting conditions in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions. Methods Twenty participants with MS and 18 healthy controls stood on a forceplate in 4 conditions: eyes open and closed and with and without BBTW. Linear measures of COP displacement included range and root mean square (RMS). Nonlinear measures included approximate entropy (ApEn) and Lyapunov exponent (LyE). Three-way repeated-measures analyses of variance compared measures across groups and conditions. The association between weighting response and baseline nonlinear variables was examined. When significant associations were found, MS subgroups were created and compared. Results The MS and control groups had significantly different range, RMS, and ApEn values. The eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions had significantly different range and RMS values. Change with weighting correlated with LyE (r=−.70) and ApEn (r=−.59). Two MS subgroups, with low and high baseline LyE values, responded to BBTW in opposite directions, with a significant main effect for weighting condition for the LyE variable in the medial-lateral direction. Limitations The small samples and no identification of impairments related to LyE at baseline were limitations of the study. Conclusions The LyE may help differentiate subgroups who respond differently to BBTW. In both subgroups, LyE values moved toward the average of healthy controls, suggesting that BBTW may help optimize movement variability in people with MS.

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Should the Minimal Intervention Principle Be Considered When Investigating Dual-Tasking Effects on Postural Control?

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci10010001 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Felix Wachholz ◽

Federico Tiribello ◽

Arunee Promsri ◽

Peter Federolf

Keyword(s):

Postural Control ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Force Plate ◽

Principal Component ◽

Mean Velocity ◽

Dual Tasking ◽

Minimal Intervention ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Eyes Open ◽

Postural Movement

Dual-tasking charges the sensorimotor system with performing two tasks simultaneously. Center of pressure (COP) analysis reveals the postural control that is altered during dual-tasking, but may not reveal the underlying neural mechanisms. In the current study, we hypothesized that the minimal intervention principle (MIP) provides a concept by which dual-tasking effects on the organization and prioritization of postural control can be predicted. Postural movements of 23 adolescents (age 12.7 ± 1.3; 8 females) and 15 adults (26.9 ± 2.3) were measured in a bipedal stance with eyes open, eyes closed and eyes open while performing a dual-task using a force plate and 39 reflective markers. COP data was analyzed by calculating the mean velocity, standard deviation and amplitude of displacement. Kinematic data was examined by performing a principal component analysis (PCA) and extracting postural movement components. Two variables were determined to investigate changes in amplitude (aVark) and in control (Nk) of the principal movement components. Results in aVark and in Nk agreed well with the predicted dual-tasking effects. Thus, the current study corroborates the notion that the MIP should be considered when investigating postural control under dual-tasking conditions.

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Increased static postural sway after energy drink consumption: A randomized trial

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.12565.1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 2036

Author(s):

Martin G. Rosario ◽

Henry Collazo ◽

Milagros Mateo ◽

Maryví Gonzalez-Sola ◽

Flavia Bayron

Keyword(s):

Postural Control ◽

Postural Sway ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Energy Drinks ◽

Energy Drink ◽

The United States ◽

General Tendency ◽

Postural Perturbation ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

The Central Nervous System

Background: Energy drinks consumption continues to grow since its appearance in the United States in 1997. Available evidence indicates that caffeine, their main ingredient, can alter the central nervous system (CNS). However, it is unknown how energy drinks alter the CNS postural control mechanism. The purpose of this study was to investigate how energy drinks can affect postural control after sensory perturbations during stance. Methods: 20 healthy adults, (11 males; 9 females) averaging 26.1 years of age, stood on a MatScan™ pressure mat, which measured center of pressure (CoP), anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) postural sways during eight different balance tests (BALT’s). BALT's were designed to alter or cancel the systems involved in postural control: visual, vestibular and somatosensory. Subjects were randomly assigned to a caffeine group and an energy drink group. MANOVA analysis was performed for all variables of interest. Results: In the caffeine group, the AP sway of the Eyes Closed test on a stable surface was statistically significant. In the energy drinks group, we observed a general tendency of participants to increase CoP slightly, AP and ML sway in most of the BALT’s after the consumption of an energy drink. However, this increase was not statistically significant. These results suggest that in healthy young adults, the sensory re-weighting mechanism can overcome postural perturbation and maintain overall postural control. Conclusions: We observed an overall tendency to increase postural instability after the ingestion of energy drinks.

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The contribution of hearing to normal balance

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s002221511200179x ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 126 (10) ◽

pp. 984-988 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

R G Kanegaonkar ◽

K Amin ◽

M Clarke

Keyword(s):

Postural Control ◽

Significant Influence ◽

Postural Sway ◽

Normal Subjects ◽

Nintendo Wii ◽

Sensory Inputs ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Ambient Sound ◽

Eyes Open ◽

Balance Board

AbstractIntroduction:Normal balance relies on three sensory inputs: vision, proprioception and the peripheral vestibular system. This study assessed hearing change and postural control in normal subjects.Materials and methods:Postural control in 20 normal volunteers was assessed using a Nintendo Wii gaming console and balance board. Each subject was tested standing upright for 30 seconds in a clinic room and a soundproof room with their eyes open, eyes closed, whilst standing on and off foam, and with and without ear defenders.Results:There was significantly more postural sway in the following subjects: those standing with their eyes closed vs those with eyes open (normal room, p = 0.0002; soundproof room, p = 0.0164); those standing on foam with eyes open vs those standing normally with eyes open (in both rooms; p < 0.05); those standing with eyes open in a soundproof room vs a normal room (p = 0.0164); and those standing on foam in a soundproof room with eyes open and wearing ear defenders vs those in the same circumstances but without ear defenders.Conclusion:Our results suggest that this method provides a simple, inexpensive tool for assessing static postural control. Whilst it is recognised that visual input and proprioception play a central role in maintaining posture, our findings suggest that ambient sound and hearing may also have a significant influence.

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The effect of age, sex and a firm-textured surface on postural control

Experimental Brain Research ◽

10.1007/s00221-021-06063-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Francesco Palazzo ◽

Alessandra Nardi ◽

Niloofar Lamouchideli ◽

Alfio Caronti ◽

Anas Alashram ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Postural Control ◽

Postural Sway ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Sensory System ◽

The Body ◽

Quiet Standing ◽

Textured Surface ◽

Textured Surfaces ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Eyes Open

AbstractIn previous studies, the influence of plantar sensation has been examined using various textured surfaces with different stiffness materials to assess static balance. This study investigated the effects of a Firm Textured Surface (FTS) along with age and sex-related influences on postural control under different visual conditions. Forty subjects (20 elderly, 10 males, mean age 68.30, 10 females, mean age 68.00, and 20 young people, 10 males, mean age 25.45, 10 females, mean age 27.30) participated in this study maintained a quiet standing on FTS, foam and firm surfaces with eyes open and closed. The center of pressure displacement (CoPDISP), CoP velocity (CoPVEL), and sway velocity of the CoP in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) direction (VA/P and VM/L) were measured. FTS was associated with lower postural sway measures in both the groups with eyes open and closed. However, the foam surface showed the worst results in all postural parameters under all experimental conditions. Separate four-way ANOVAs were applied to each dependent variable. The main effects of surface (p < 0.0001), vision (p < 0.0001) and age (p < 0.0001 for CoPDISP, CoPVEL and VA/P; p = 0.0003 for VM/L) were significant in each of the four fitted models. Sex was never significant, either as a main effect or an interaction with other experimental factors. Eyes open were able to reduce the negative effects of the foam surfaces but without vision the proprioceptive sensory system cues of the body state become more important for maintaining balance. A good stimulation with rigid texture should be considered as relief to reduce the physiological-related decline of afferent information with age.

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Influence of Visual Information and Sex on Postural Control in Children Aged 6–12 Years Assessed with Accelerometric Technology

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11040637 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 637

Author(s):

Jesús García-Liñeira ◽

Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez ◽

José Luis Chinchilla-Minguet ◽

José Luis García-Soidán

Keyword(s):

Postural Control ◽

Visual Information ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sensory Stimuli ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Visual Inputs ◽

Eyes Open ◽

Three Body ◽

Muscular Activation

The performance of postural control is believed to be linked to how children use available sensory stimuli to produce adequate muscular activation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to thoroughly explore postural stability under normal conditions and without visual information in postural control in children aged 6–12 years during static single-leg support. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 316 children (girls = 158). The analyzed variables were the mean and maximum values obtained in each of the three body axes and their root mean square during two static single-leg support tests: one with eyes open and one with eyes closed. Girls showed lower magnitudes in the recorded accelerations at all ages and in all the variables of both tests. Accelerations during the tests showed progressively lower values from 6 to 12 years of age. The sex had a significant influence on the magnitude obtained in the accelerations recorded during the tests. Improvements in balance with increasing age were greater with visual information than without visual information. The tests of single-leg support showed preferential sensorimotor strategies in boys and girls: boys tend to rely more on visual inputs, and girls process somesthetic information in a preferential way.

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Effects of Balance Training on Postural Stability

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193120204601349 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 46 (13) ◽

pp. 1237-1240

Author(s):

Jennifer M. Schmit ◽

Deanna I. Rejacques ◽

Michael A. Riley

Keyword(s):

Postural Control ◽

Postural Sway ◽

Balance Training ◽

Control Group ◽

Significant Group ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Eyes Open ◽

Group 2 ◽

Main Effects ◽

The Relationship

The present study is designed to address the relationship between postural sway and balance training. We compared postural sway in a group of trained dancers to a group of physically fit, untrained participants (control group) in order to assess enhanced postural control with balance training, particularly under challenging balance conditions. We varied the difficulty of postural control by using two surface conditions (rigid surface, foam surface) and two visual conditions (eyes open, eyes closed), factorially combined. The data were evaluated using 1-between (group) × 2-within (vision and surface) analyses of variance (ANOVA). The three dependent variables were the standard deviation of the COP time series in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) axes, and the COP path length. Significant main effects were found for surface and vision and the surface*vision interaction in all conditions. Significant group differences were found in the AP and ML axes. The results of this study indicate that balance training enhances the control of posture. Thus, it may be useful to provide balance training to workers who must operate under conditions that threaten balance.

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