The Impact of a Vestibular-Stimulating Exercise Regime on Postural Stability in People with Visual Impairment

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of a vestibular-stimulating exercise regime on postural stability in individuals with visual impairment. The study group consisted of 70 people, including 28 persons (15 female and 13 male) with visual impairment and 42 (21 female and 21 male) without visual impairment. Each individual in the group with visual impairment was medically qualified for a 3-month training program. The research methodology included medical examination, anthropometric tests, and stabilometry tests on a Biodex Balance System SD (BBS). The tests were conducted twice: once before the start of training and again after 3 months of rehabilitation. The group with visual impairment showed significantly worse postural stability results than the control group for most of the stability parameters evaluated (OSI, APSI, and MLSI). Differences were noted between the groups with and without visual impairment for dynamic tests in women and for static tests in men. After training, the two groups showed roughly similar results for the stabilometry test with eyes closed. We conclude that exercises stimulating the vestibular system with head and body movements should be recommended for individuals with visual impairments to achieve better balance retention.

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Static Postural Balance in Modern Pentathletes: A Pilot Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16101760 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. 1760 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dorota Sadowska ◽

Tomasz Sacewicz ◽

Małgorzata Lichota ◽

Justyna Krzepota ◽

Maria Ładyga

Keyword(s):

Postural Balance ◽

Postural Sway ◽

Control Group ◽

Physically Active ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Test Conditions ◽

The Stability ◽

High Level ◽

The Impact ◽

Conscious Control

Postural balance is a key element of shooting effectiveness, which determines the outcome of modern pentathlon competitions. The aim of the study is to examine the postural balance of 27 pentathletes (12 females and 15 males; mean age: 18.0 ± 1.8 years), and 26 physically active, untrained subjects (12 females and 14 males; mean age: 22.5 ± 1.4 years), and to investigate the impact of footwear on the stability of the shooting position in pentathletes. Methods: Static postural balance was examined during quiet stance in four test conditions (standing in footwear with eyes opened, standing in footwear with eyes closed, standing barefoot with eyes opened, and standing barefoot with eyes closed). During each postural balance measurement, the participant remained still on the platform, with their arms in front of their body. Postural balance in the shooting position was only evaluated in the group of pentathletes. The athlete was asked to assume a comfortable shooting position on the platform and to aim at the target. Standard pentathlon targets and pistols were used in the study. Measurements were carried out twice (barefoot and in footwear). Results: In all conditions, pentathletes achieved lower values of posturographic measures than in the control group. In non-visual conditions, measures describing the surface area of the centre of pressure decreased in pentathletes and increased in the control group. Both pentathletes and non-athletes were equally stable barefoot as in footwear. Footwear did not affect postural sway in the shooting position in pentathletes. Conclusions: Pentathletes were found to have significantly better stance stability and were less vision-dependent in postural balance than untrained subjects. Bearing in mind that the shooting position of pentathletes was as stable barefoot as in footwear, the main factors which were most likely responsible for minimising body oscillations in the pentathletes were their high level of concentration and conscious control of body alignment.

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The Influence of Proprioceptive Training with the Use of Virtual Reality on Postural Stability of Workers Working at Height

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s20133731 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (13) ◽

pp. 3731

Author(s):

Magdalena Cyma-Wejchenig ◽

Jacek Tarnas ◽

Katarzyna Marciniak ◽

Rafał Stemplewski

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Dual Task ◽

Postural Stability ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Force Plate ◽

Control Group ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Proprioceptive Training ◽

Eyes Open ◽

The Impact

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of proprioceptive training with the use of virtual reality (VR) on the level of postural stability of high–altitude workers. Twenty-one men working at height were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG) with training (n = 10) and control group (CG) without training (n = 11). Path length of the displacement of the center of pressure (COP) signal and its components in the anteroposterior and medial–lateral directions were measured with use of an AccuGaitTM force plate before and after intervention (6 weeks, 2 sessions × 30 min a week). Tests were performed at two different platform heights, with or without eyes open and with or without a dual task. Two–way ANOVA revealed statistically significant interaction effects for low–high threat, eyes open-eyes closed, and single task-dual task. Post-training values of average COP length were significantly lower in the EG than before training for all analyzed parameters. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the use of proprioceptive training with use of VR can support, or even replace, traditional methods of balance training.

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The Relationship Between Postural Stability, Anthropometry Measurements, Body Composition, and Sport Experience in Judokas with Visual Impairment

Asian Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.5812/asjsm.103030 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Bruno Ferreira Jeronymo ◽

Pablo Rodrigo de Oliveira Silva ◽

Míriam Mainenti ◽

Lilian Ramiro Felicio ◽

Arthur de Sá Ferreira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Postural Stability ◽

Anthropometric Measurements ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Bootstrap Analysis ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Stability Area

Background: Postural stability is quite mandatory when practicing high-performance sports. Investigations of postural stability and related variables in judokas with visual impairment can lead to new training plans targeting the improvement of postural stability and ultimately to enhanced performance. Objectives: To investigate postural stability and its relationship with anthropometric measurements, body composition, and experience in judokas with visual impairment. Methods: Seventeen judokas (70.6% men) with visual impairment participated in this cross-sectional study. The athletes were grouped based on the functional classification of partial (B2/B3, n = 10) and total visual impairment (B1, n = 7). Postural stability was assessed using the elliptical area of the 95% confidence interval (Area) and the average displacement velocity (Vavg) while remaining in a bipedal stance with eyes closed and blindfolded. Body mass, height, circumferences, skinfold thickness and diameters were measured and used to estimate body composition. Between-group comparisons were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney test. Bivariate correlations were determined with Spearman’s correlation coefficient with bootstrap analysis and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) from 500 resamplings. Results: No significant difference was observed between the B1 and B2/B3 groups in relation to postural stability (Area; P = 1.00; Vavg; P = 0.85). Postural stability (Area but not Vavg) correlated positively and moderately (P < 0.05) with anthropometric measurements and negatively with judo experience (practice time). Conclusions: The postural stability of judokas was unrelated to the degree of visual impairment. Postural instability was correlated with anthropometric measurements, mainly body fat and height, and judo experience.

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The impact of visual impairment on nutritional status: A systematic review

British Journal of Visual Impairment ◽

10.1177/0264619617730860 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 17-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Nabila Jones ◽

Hannah Bartlett

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Sample Size ◽

Visually Impaired ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Small Sample ◽

Control Group ◽

Visually Impaired People ◽

Impaired People ◽

The Impact

The aim of this review was to evaluate the literature that has investigated the impact of visual impairment on nutritional status. We identified relevant articles through a multi-staged systematic approach. Fourteen articles were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. The sample size of the studies ranged from 9 to 761 participants. It was found that visual impairment significantly affects nutritional status. The studies reported that visually impaired people have an abnormal body mass index (BMI); a higher prevalence of obesity and malnutrition was reported. Visually impaired people find it difficult to shop for, eat, and prepare meals. Most studies had a small sample size, and some studies did not include a study control group for comparison. The limitations of these studies suggest that the findings are not conclusive enough to hold true for only those who are visually impaired. Further studies with a larger sample size are required with the aim of developing interventions.

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Postural Stability in Adolescent Girls with Progressive Idiopathic Scoliosis

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2019/7103546 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marzena Wiernicka ◽

Tomasz Kotwicki ◽

Ewa Kamińska ◽

Dawid Łochyński ◽

Mateusz Kozinoga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Idiopathic Scoliosis ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Postural Stability ◽

Path Length ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Mean Amplitude ◽

Growth Spurt ◽

Control Group ◽

Stability Parameters ◽

Progressive Form

The aim of this work was to analyze postural stability of girls having progressive form of idiopathic scoliosis and undergoing specific period of the adolescent growth spurt. Twenty-seven girls, aged 13.4 ± 1.2 years, presenting structural idiopathic scoliosis, thoracic or thoracolumbar pattern, radiological Cobb angle 41.7 ± 17.4° (study group) and 37 healthy girls (control group) were included. The groups were sex, age, height, weight, and BMI matched. Postural stability examination was performed using two stabilometric platforms with visual control (eyes open) at three stages: (1) both legs’ stance, (2) left leg stance, and (3) right leg stance. The Center of Pressure (COP) sway path length, the area and the displacement amplitude were compared. For the double stance, no difference in postural stability parameters between the groups was found. However, for the right leg stance, the total sway path length was longer (p=0.04) and the mean amplitude of the lateral COP displacement was increased (p=0.03) in the scoliotic group. In conclusion, for double stance, the adolescent girls with progressive form of idiopathic scoliosis revealed fair postural stability compared to control group. An impaired postural control was observed during right leg stance.

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Postural Stability in Obese Preoperative Bariatric Patients Using Static and Dynamic Evaluation

Obesity Facts ◽

10.1159/000509163 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 499-513

Author(s):

Gabriel M. Pagnotti ◽

Amna Haider ◽

Ariel Yang ◽

Kathryn E. Cottell ◽

Catherine M. Tuppo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Postural Stability ◽

Postural Sway ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Postural Instability ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Morbidly Obese ◽

Tissue Quality ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Obese Subjects ◽

The Impact

Introduction: Globally, 300 million adults have clinical obesity. Heightened adiposity and inadequate musculature secondary to obesity alter bipedal stance and gait, diminish musculoskeletal tissue quality, and compromise neuromuscular feedback; these physiological changes alter stability and increase injury risk from falls. Studies in the field focus on obese patients across a broad range of body mass indices (BMI >30 kg/m2) but without isolating the most morbidly obese subset (BMI ≥40 kg/m2). We investigated the impact of obesity in perturbing postural stability in morbidly obese subjects elected for bariatric intervention, harboring a higher-spectrum BMI. Subjects and Methods: Traditional force plate measurements and stabilograms are gold standards employed when measuring center of pressure (COP) and postural sway. To quantify the extent of postural instability in subjects with obesity before bariatric surgery, we assessed 17 obese subjects with an average BMI of 40 kg/m2 in contrast to 13 nonobese subjects with an average BMI of 30 kg/m2. COP and postural sway were measured from static and dynamic tasks. Involuntary movements were measured when patients performed static stances, with eyes either opened or closed. Two additional voluntary movements were measured when subjects performed dynamic, upper torso tasks with eyes opened. Results: Mean body weight was 85% (p < 0.001) greater in obese than nonobese subjects. Following static balance assessments, we observed greater sway displacement in the anteroposterior (AP) direction in obese subjects with eyes open (87%, p < 0.002) and eyes closed (76%, p = 0.04) versus nonobese subjects. Obese subjects also exhibited a higher COP velocity in static tests when subjects’ eyes were open (47%, p = 0.04). Dynamic tests demonstrated no differences between groups in sway displacement in either direction; however, COP velocity in the mediolateral (ML) direction was reduced (31%, p < 0.02) in obese subjects while voluntarily swaying in the AP direction, but increased in the same cohort when swaying in the ML direction (40%, p < 0.04). Discussion and Conclusion: Importantly, these data highlight obesity’s contribution towards increased postural instability. Obese subjects exhibited greater COP displacement at higher AP velocities versus nonobese subjects, suggesting that clinically obese individuals show greater instability than nonobese subjects. Identifying factors contributory to instability could encourage patient-specific physical therapies and presurgical measures to mitigate instability and monitor postsurgical balance improvements.

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Postural stability in one leg standing on dominant and non-dominant leg in professional soccer players

Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0010.7105 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (77) ◽

pp. 53-64 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Przemysław Dębski ◽

Jacek Mielańczyk ◽

Rafał Gnat

Keyword(s):

Postural Stability ◽

Football Player ◽

The Body ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Balance System ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Sport Competition ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Stability

Stability plays a key role in the sport competition in football. Synchronized operation stabilization of the lower limb and trunk of the support with the dynamic movement of the contralateral limbs allow you to perform tasks specific to the discipline, eg. variety kicking of the ball. Purpose. The aim of the study was to evaluate differences in the capabilities to maintain postural stability in standing on one leg dominant and non-dominant leg with professional players including grouping variables: age, height, weight, volume of training aimed at improving the stability and general internship of football player career. Although commonly assumed that the non-dominant leg is predisposed to act more effective support for the body, the work to date have failed to identify indicated differentiation. It should be noted, however, that they were carried out on small trials in people less active, or among amateur athletes. Basic procedures. The study involved 31 professional soccer players from 1 to 5 level of division. In order to assess postural stability, each of the test performed three times a standard stability test consisting of three 20-second attempt to maintain balance on one leg becoming dominant and non-dominant leg on stabilometric platform BIODEX Balance System. For each of the lower limbs test was repeated three times. Assessment were average angular range deflections platform in the two reference planes, and the volatility of these deflections. These parameters were treated as a measure of postural stability of the respondents. Main findings. In the whole group of patients, no statistically significant differences in the possibilities to maintain postural stability in standing on one leg dominant and non-dominant leg. No significant differences were also detected when considering grouping variables. Conclusions. The results do not indicate a significant difference in the ability to maintain postural stability in standing on one leg dominant and non-dominant leg in professional soccer players.

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Pathology of the Organs of Vision in Metallurgists

Ophthalmology in Russia ◽

10.18008/1816-5095-2018-4-492-496 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 492-496

Author(s):

A. L. Onischenko ◽

A. V. Kolbasko ◽

M. A. Melnichenko ◽

S. N. Filimonov

Keyword(s):

Tear Film ◽

Control Group ◽

Length Of Service ◽

Metallurgical Production ◽

Outer Corner ◽

Cataract Development ◽

The Difference ◽

The Stability ◽

The Impact ◽

Chronic Conjunctivitis

The frequency and structure of ophthalmopathology in workers of the Novokuznetsk Metallurgical Combine (NMC) have been studied. In total 1911 workers of NMC have been examined. The control group comprised 1801 people working in hazardous industrial conditions. The experimental group consisted of employees dealing with management, engineering center, accounting (110 people). Their work was not connected with the impact of unfavorable factors of metallurgical production. In the control group, the hazard classes ranged from 3.2 to 3.4. The difference between the classes of hazard impact consisted in an increase of the intensity of the hazardous factors exposure. In the structure of conjunctival diseases we have diagnosed chronic conjunctivitis (198.3 ‰), chronic blepharoconjunctivitis (109.4 ‰), pinguecula (266.7 ‰) and pterygium (7.2 ‰) in metallurgical workers. Pengucules in the control group of workers was not only more often than in engineers, but also larger, often located in the inner and outer corner of the eye, and was detected in workers under 30–35 years. The workers of the main shops suffered more severely from the function of tear production and the stability of the pre-corneal tear film. The miners suffered from the highest frequency of cataract development — 301 ‰. Thus, a high incidence of inflammatory and dystrophic diseases of the eyelids and conjunctiva, cataracts in metallurgy has been established. An increase in the frequency of ophthalmopathology was noted with an increase in the length of service under harmful conditions of metallurgical production. The authors suggest the term “metallurgy ophthalmopathy”, which includes manifestations of chronic conjunctivitis and / or blepharoconjunctivitis against the background of unstable precorneal film and frequent formation of posterior-subcapsular opacities of the lens.

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Effect of workshops for coaches on the motor ability of balance in children practicing sports in late childhood

BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1186/s13102-021-00388-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

D. Wilczyńska ◽

A. Łysak-Radomska ◽

M. Podczarska-Głowacka ◽

K. Krasowska ◽

E. Perzanowska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vestibular System ◽

Postural Stability ◽

Motor Coordination ◽

Stability Index ◽

Control Group ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Control ◽

Experimental Group ◽

Balance Stability

Abstract Background The coach attitude impacts the whole mind and body system of a child athlete from emotional and motivational aspects to motor skills like motor coordination. It translates into the ability to control and stabilize posture. The vestibular system plays an important role in this regulation. This system, next to the visual system and mechanoreceptors, is responsible for balance and control during posture transition. Moreover, the vestibular system is influenced by emotional factors. Therefore the authors of this study focused on the changes in the balance stability of children practicing sport after the implementation of the psychological workshops for coaches. Methods Fifty-nine children at the age of 9–12 practicing soccer, art gymnastic and sport gymnastic were divided into two groups. The experimental group consisted of 31 participants and 28 in the control group. Experimental group children were under the influence of the 3 coaches who attended three workshops over 12 weeks period. Control group children were coached by 5 coaches who attended no workshops. Postural stability tests were performed on children before and after the workshops. Results The statistically significant changes were observed in selected parameters of children’s balance stability after the experiment. The significant difference between the experimental and control group in Overall Stability Index (OSI) (p < 0.0002), Anterior–Posterior Stability Index (AP) (p < 0.01), Medial–Lateral Stability Index (ML) (p < 0.01) with eyes open were observed after the experiment. The results show a significant deterioration in control group contrary to the experimental group where the improvement trend was observed. Moreover, the difference between the groups was observed in OSI parameter (p < 0.005) with eyes closed after the experiment. Conclusion The results obtained by the authors of the current study may support the thesis that educating coaches allows for better results in postural stability of child’s athletes. Nevertheless, this thesis requires further research, with particular emphasis on the age and gender of young athletes.

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A balance and proprioception intervention programme to enhance combat performance in military personnel

Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps ◽

10.1136/jramc-2017-000809 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 164 (1) ◽

pp. 52-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shany Funk ◽

T Jacob ◽

D Ben-Dov ◽

E Yanovich ◽

O Tirosh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Postural Balance ◽

Postural Stability ◽

Weight Bearing ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Test Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Intervention Programme ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Post Test ◽

Combat Soldiers

BackgroundOptimal functioning of the lower extremities under repeated movements on unstable surfaces is essential for military effectiveness. Intervention training to promote proprioceptive ability should be considered in order to limit the risk for musculoskeletal injuries. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a proprioceptive intervention programme on static and dynamic postural balance among Israel Defense Forces combat soldiers.MethodsTwenty-seven male soldiers, aged 18–20 years, from a physical fitness instructor’s course, were randomly divided into two groups matched by age and army unit. The intervention group (INT) underwent 4 weeks of proprioceptive exercises for 10 min daily; the control group underwent 4 weeks of upper body stretching exercises for 10 min daily. All participants were tested pre and postintervention for both static and dynamic postural balance.ResultsSignificant interaction (condition*pre-post-test*group) was found for static postural balance, indicating that for the INT group, in condition 3 (on an unstable surface—BOSU), the post-test result was significantly better compared with the pretest result (p<0.05). Following intervention, the INT group showed significant correlations between static postural stability in condition 2 (eyes closed) and the dynamic postural stability (length of time walked on the beam following fatigue) (r ranged from 0.647 to 0.822; p<0.05).ConclusionsThe proprioceptive intervention programme for combat soldiers improved static postural balance on unstable surfaces, and improved the correlation between static postural balance in the eyes closed condition and dynamic postural balance following fatigue. Further longitudinal studies are needed to verify the relationship between proprioception programmes, additional weight bearing and the reduction of subsequent injuries in combat soldiers.

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