scholarly journals Gymnastics Experience Enhances the Development of Bipedal-Stance Multi-Segmental Coordination and Control During Proprioceptive Reweighting

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Busquets ◽  
Blai Ferrer-Uris ◽  
Rosa Angulo-Barroso ◽  
Peter Federolf
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Lateral Direction ◽  
Bipedal Stance ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Relative Standard ◽  
Coordinative Structure ◽  
And Control

Performance and control of upright bipedal posture requires a constant and dynamic integration of relative contributions of different sensory inputs (i. e., sensory reweighting) to enable effective adaptations as individuals face environmental changes and perturbations. Children with gymnastic experience showed balance performance closer to that of adults during and after proprioceptive alteration than children without gymnastic experience when their center of pressure (COP) was analyzed. However, a particular COP sway can be achieved through performing and coordinating different postural movements. The aim of this study was to assess how children and adults of different gymnastic experience perform and control postural movements while they have to adjust balance during and after bilateral tendon vibration. All participants were equipped with spherical markers attached to their skin and two vibrators strapped over the Achilles tendons. Bipedal stance was performed in three 45-s trials in two visual conditions (eyes open, EO, and eyes closed, EC) ordered randomly in which vibration lasted 10 s. Posture movements were analyzed by a principal component analysis (PCA) calculated on normalized and weighted markers coordinates. The relative standard deviation of each principal movement component (principal position, PP-rSTD) quantified its contribution to the whole postural movements, i.e., quantified the coordinative structure. The first (principal velocities, PV-rSTD) and second (principal accelerations, PA-rSTD) time-derivatives characterized the rate-dependent sensory information associated with and the neuromuscular control of the postural movements, respectively. Children without gymnastic experience showed a different postural coordinative structure and different sensory-motor control characteristics. They used less ankle movements in the anterior-posterior direction but increased ankle movements in medio-lateral direction, presented larger hip and trunk velocities, and exhibited more hip actions. Gymnastic experience during childhood seemed to benefit the development of proprioceptive reweighting processes in children, leading to a more mature form of coordinating and controlling posture similarly to adults.

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 Smartphone Use and Postural Balance in Healthy Young Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 3307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roxana Ramona Onofrei ◽  
Elena Amaricai ◽  
Oana Suciu ◽  
Vlad Laurentiu David ◽  
Andreea Luciana Rata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Plantar Pressure ◽  
Postural Balance ◽  
Path Length ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Metatarsal Head ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Maintaining an upright posture while talking or texting on the phone is a frequent dual-task demand. Using a within-subjects design, the aim of the present study was to assess the impact of a smartphone conversation or message texting on standing plantar pressure and postural balance performance in healthy young adults. Thirty-five subjects (mean age 21.37 ± 1.11 years) were included in this study. Simultaneous foot plantar pressure and stabilometric analysis were performed using the PoData system, under three conditions: no phone (control), talking on a smartphone (talk) and texting and sending a text message via a smartphone (text). Stabilometric parameters (center of pressure (CoP) path length, 90% confidence area and maximum CoP speed) were significantly affected by the use of different smartphone functions (p < 0.0001). The CoP path length and maximum CoP speed were significantly higher under the talk and text conditions when compared to the control. CoP path length, 90% confidence area and maximum CoP speed were significantly increased in talk compared to text and control. Talking on the phone also influenced the weight distribution on the left foot first metatarsal head and heel as compared with message texting. Postural stability in healthy young adults was significantly affected by talking and texting on a smartphone. Talking on the phone proved to be more challenging.

Hip Sway in Patients With Hip Osteoarthritis During One-Leg Standing With a Focus on Time Series Data

Motor Control ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Takuya Ibara ◽  
Makoto Takahashi ◽  
Koichi Shinkoda ◽  
Mahito Kawashima ◽  
Masaya Anan
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Hip Osteoarthritis ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Scaling Exponent ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Kinematic Parameters ◽  
Lateral Direction ◽  
Posterior Direction ◽  
Anterior Posterior

This study aimed to investigate the hip sway and the relationship between the center of pressure (CoP) and kinematic parameters regarding the time series scaling component α in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) during a one-leg standing task. The scaling exponent α, SD, hip sway maximal acceleration change, and balance performance, which was measured using CoP parameters, were compared between hip OA and control groups during a one-leg standing task. The relationships between balance performance with CoP parameters and kinematic parameters were investigated with the regression analysis. In the hip OA group, the scaling exponent α was smaller in the medial–lateral direction, and the SD and maximal amount of change in hip sway acceleration were larger in the anterior–posterior direction in the hip OA group. In this group, the CoP parameters were significantly associated with α in the medial–lateral direction (negatively) and in the anterior–posterior direction (positively). In the hip OA group, hip sway adaptability in the medial–lateral direction was limited, while the anterior–posterior direction showed greater movement.

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

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (10) ◽  
pp. 1489-1498 ◽  
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.

One-Leg Standing Performance and Muscle Activity: Are There Limb Differences?

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Muehlbauer ◽  
Claude Mettler ◽  
Ralf Roth ◽  
Urs Granacher
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Balance Testing ◽  
Leg Muscles ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Sensory Condition

The purpose of this study was to compare static balance performance and muscle activity during one-leg standing on the dominant and nondominant leg under various sensory conditions with increased levels of task difficulty. Thirty healthy young adults (age: 23 ± 2 years) performed one-leg standing tests for 30 s under three sensory conditions (ie, eyes open/firm ground; eyes open/foam ground [elastic pad on top of the balance plate]; eyes closed/firm ground). Center of pressure displacements and activity of four lower leg muscles (ie, m. tibialis anterior [TA], m. soleus [SOL], m. gastrocnemius medialis [GAS], m. peroneus longus [PER]) were analyzed. An increase in sensory task difficulty resulted in deteriorated balance performance (P< .001, effect size [ES] = .57−2.54) and increased muscle activity (P< .001, ES = .50−1.11) for all but two muscles (ie, GAS, PER). However, regardless of the sensory condition, one-leg standing on the dominant as compared with the nondominant limb did not produce statistically significant differences in various balance (P> .05, ES = .06−.22) and electromyographic (P> .05, ES = .03−.13) measures. This indicates that the dominant and the nondominant leg can be used interchangeably during static one-leg balance testing in healthy young adults.

scholarly journals Age-Related Changes in Standing Balance in Preschoolers Using Traditional and Nonlinear Methods

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zengming Hao ◽  
Yi Yang ◽  
Anke Hua ◽  
Ying Gao ◽  
Jian Wang
Keyword(s):  
Time Scales ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Standing Balance ◽  
Fluctuation Analysis ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Nonlinear Methods ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Changes

Considerable disagreement exists on the linearity of the development of standing balance in children. This study aimed to use different traditional and nonlinear methods to investigate age-related changes in standing balance in preschoolers. A sample of 118 preschoolers took part in this study. A force platform was used to record the center of pressure during standing balance over 15 s in three conditions: eyes open, eyes closed, and/or head extended backward. Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), recurrence quantification analysis (RQA), and traditional measures were used to evaluate standing balance. The main results are as follows: (1) Higher range and SD in the anterior-posterior (AP) direction were observed for 5-year-old than for 4-year-old children, while higher DFA coefficient (at shorter time scales) and higher determinism and laminarity in the AP direction were found for 5-year-old children compared to 3- and 4-year-old children; and (2) as sensory conditions became more challenging, all traditional measures increased and DFA coefficients (at shorter and longer time scales) decreased in the AP and mediolateral directions, while determinism and laminarity significantly declined in the AP direction. In conclusion, although increased postural sway, 5-year-old preschool children’s balance performance improved, and their control strategy changed significantly compared with the younger preschoolers. Sensory perturbation (eye closure and/or head extension) changed preschoolers’ balance performance and control strategy. Moreover, both traditional and nonlinear methods provided complementary information on the control of standing balance in preschoolers.

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.

Does instructing attentional focus direction affect static single leg balance performance?

2021 ◽  
pp. 174795412110585
Author(s):  
Cory J Monahan ◽  
Wendy L Hurley
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Attentional Focus ◽  
Fluctuation Analysis ◽  
Scaling Exponent ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
External Focus ◽  
Balance Task ◽  
And Control

Balance and postural control exercises are generally included as a part of exercise programs, during which movement practitioners can provide instructions to facilitate the performance of motor skills. Instructions can be used as cues to direct attentional focus, which has been found to affect the performance of motor skills, including balance and postural control tasks. However, no known studies to date have investigated the effect of both internal and external attentional focus instructions on static single leg balance performance, and it seems unclear whether effects of such instructions are related specifically to the direction of attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of instructing the direction of attentional focus on single leg static balance performance as reflected by the complexity of the center of pressure (COP) profile. Participants (N = 46) between the ages of 19–28 years old were randomly assigned to one of three group conditions: internal focus (INTn=15), external focus (EXTn=16) and control (CONn=15). Participants performed a thirty-five second static single leg balance task. Outcome measures were the scaling exponent determined from a detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) to infer complexity of the COP profile in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions, and root mean square error (RMSE) of the COP profile in AP and ML directions. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) determined there were no statistically significant differences in the measured variables among groups. The results do not support the claim that manipulating the direction of attentional focus affects static single leg balance performance.

Regulation of Balance After Spinning: A Comparison Between Figure Skaters and Controls

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cadence M Baker ◽  
Gordon E Barkwell
Keyword(s):  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Figure Skaters ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Balance Ability ◽  
Base Of Support ◽  
And Control ◽  
Female Control

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to compare the balance performance of control subjects and varsity figure skaters after spinning on a turntable for 6 seconds. It was hypothesized figure skaters would demonstrate better balance control after spinning. Methods: 9 female figure skaters and 9 female control subjects stood as still as possible for 15 seconds on a Kistler force plate during both a control condition and after spinning for 6 seconds on a turntable. Balance performance was quantified by the percentage of total time the center of pressure (CoP) was within a 5mm radius of the center of their base of support (BoS). Results: In the control condition, figure skaters and control participants did not have significantly different balance ability. In the post-spin condition, figure skaters were significantly better at maintaining their CoP within a smaller area. Conclusions: These results are valuable from a training and coaching perspective because they suggest that balance performance after spinning can be improved with training.

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