Association of Foot Sole Sensibility with Quiet and Dynamic Body Balance in Morbidly Obese Women

An important health-related problem of obesity is reduced stance stability, leading to increased chance of falling. In the present experiment, we aimed to compare stability in quiet and in dynamic body balance between women with morbid obesity (n = 13, body mass index [BMI] > 40 Kg/m2, mean age = 38.85 years) and with healthy body weight (lean) (n = 13; BMI < 25 Kg/m2, mean age = 37.62 years), evaluating the extent to which quiet and dynamic balance stability are associated with plantar sensibility. Quiet stance was evaluated in different visual and support base conditions. The dynamic task consisted of rhythmic flexion—extension movements at the hip and shoulder, manipulating vision availability. The plantar sensibility threshold was measured through application of monofilaments on the feet soles. The results showed that the morbidly obese, in comparison with the lean women, had higher plantar sensibility thresholds, and a reduced balance stability in quiet standing. Mediolateral stance stability on the malleable surface was strongly correlated with plantar sensibility in the obese women. Analysis of dynamic balance showed no effect of obesity and weaker correlations with plantar sensibility. Our results suggest that reduced plantar sensibility in morbidly obese women may underlie their diminished stance stability, while dynamic balance control seems to be unaffected by their reduced plantar sensibility.

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DUAL-TASK BALANCE CONTROL IN ADOLESCENT ATHLETES FOLLOWING CONCUSSION

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967120s00152 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (4_suppl3) ◽

pp. 2325967120S0015

Author(s):

Tracy Zaslow ◽

Camille Burton ◽

Nicole M. Mueske ◽

Adriana Conrad-Forrest ◽

Bianca Edison ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dual Task ◽

Verbal Fluency ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Balance Control ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Center Of Mass ◽

Quiet Standing ◽

Return To Play ◽

Treatment Protocols ◽

Single Task

Background: Previous research has identified deficient dual-task balance control at the time of return to play (RTP) and possible worsening after RTP in older adolescents/young adults with concussion. These findings have not been investigated in younger patients with concussion. Hypothesis/Purpose: We hypothesized that concussed adolescents would have slower walking speed and increased medial-lateral (ML) center of mass (COM) movement, which would normalize by the time of RTP but worsen after resuming activity. Methods: 13 adolescent concussion patients (7 male; age 10-17 years) were prospectively evaluated at their initial visit (IV) (mean 18, range 4-43 days post-concussion), at RTP clearance (mean 46, range 12-173 days post-concussion), and one month later (mean 26, range 20-41 days post-RTP) along with 11 controls (3 male) seen for similarly timed visits. Standing balance was assessed using range and root mean squared (RMS) COM motion in the anterior-posterior (AP) and ML directions during standing on both legs with eyes open while performing quiet standing, dual-task audio Stroop, side-to-side head turns, and side-to-side thumb tracking tasks. Dynamic balance was assessed using walking speed and COM ML range and velocity during walking alone and with side-to-side head turns and verbal fluency (reciting words starting with “F”) dual tasks. Patients were compared against controls using t-tests, and changes over time were evaluated using linear mixed-effects regression. Results: During standing, patients had higher COM ML RMS than controls at IV during head turns and higher COM AP range during thumb tracking. COM ML motion decreased from IV to RTP (head turns range -6.5mm, p=0.058; head turns RMS -16.8mm, p=0.002; thumb range 9.2mm, p=0.012) and increased from RTP to 1 month follow-up (head turns RMS +10.0mm, p=0.040; Stroop RMS +8.4mm, p=0.086). Patients walked slower than controls at IV during all tasks, and COM ML range was higher in patients vs. controls during verbal fluency at IV and RTP. Walking speed increased from IV to RTP during verbal fluency (+7.8cm/s, p=0.044), from RTP to post-RTP in single task walking (+6.1cm/s, p=0.041), and at each successive visit during head turns (+6.0cm/s and +6.5cm/s, p<0.07). COM ML range also decreased in patients from IV to RTP with verbal fluency (-14.7mm, p=0.011) and from RTP to post-RTP in single task walking ( 4.0mm, p=0.061). Conclusion: Adolescent concussion patients had deficits in static and dynamic balance control at initial presentation. This tended to improve by RTP and only worsened post-RTP for dual-task ML control during standing, suggesting that current conservative treatment protocols are appropriate.

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Acute effects of contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching of hip abductors and adductors on dynamic balance

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.6108 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e6108 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rafał Szafraniec ◽

Krystyna Chromik ◽

Amanda Poborska ◽

Adam Kawczyński

Keyword(s):

Single Dose ◽

Balance Control ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Body Balance ◽

Golgi Tendon Organs ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation ◽

The Impact

Background Balance control has been shown to play a fundamental role both in everyday life and many athletic activities. An important component of balance control is the somatosensory information gained from muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs. The changes in the muscle-tendon unit stiffness could alter the ability to detect and respond promptly to changes of an unstable environment. One of the procedures affecting muscle stiffness is stretching, and contract-relax PNF stretching (CRS) is considered as one of the safest and most effective techniques. So far, there are no studies on the impact of CRS of hip adductor and abductor muscles on body balance. These muscle groups are responsible for maintaining mediolateral balance which is of particular interest, since it is more affected by ageing and disease and since its deterioration has been associated with an increased risk of falling. In light of the above, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a single dose of contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching of hip adductors and abductors on mediolateral dynamic balance. Methods The study involved 45 healthy individuals (age 19–23 years) assigned to the intervention group (IG) or the control group (CG). Balance testing was carried out before (Pre) and immediately after CRS in the intervention group or after 5-minute rest in the control group (Post). There were performed three repetitions of the CRS targeting the adductor and abductor muscles of the hip. Results Statistically significant differences between Pre and Post condition were observed only in the intervention group. The values of all measured variables defining the body’s dynamic balance were significantly lower immediately after the applied CRS, which indicates an improved body balance: Global Index (p = 0.0001), total area of sway (p = 0.0001), external area of sway (p = 0.00004), external time (p = 0.0004) and reaction time (p = 0.0003). Conclusions A single dose of contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching of the hip adductor and abductor muscles improved mediolateral dynamic balance.

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Footwear Interventions

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association ◽

10.7547/1030516 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 103 (6) ◽

pp. 516-533 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Anna L. Hatton ◽

Keith Rome ◽

John Dixon ◽

Denis J. Martin ◽

Patrick O. McKeon

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Balance Control ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

The Elderly ◽

Quiet Standing ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Balance Performance ◽

Dynamic Movement ◽

Balance Task ◽

Older Populations

Footwear interventions, including shoe insoles and foot orthoses, have the capacity to enhance balance control and gait in older people. This review assessed the evidence for the effect of footwear interventions on static and dynamic balance performance and gait in older populations and explored proposed theories for underlying sensorimotor and mechanical mechanisms. We searched the Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL (the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), and AMED databases and conducted hand searches. Of 115 relevant articles screened, 14 met the predefined inclusion criteria. Articles were grouped into one of three categories based on balance task (static balance performance during quiet standing, dynamic balance performance during walking, and dynamic balance performance during perturbed standing or functional tasks) and were scored for methodological quality using the Downs and Black Quality Index tool. Footwear interventions seem to alter underlying strategies controlling static and dynamic movement patterns through a combination of sensorimotor and mechanical mechanisms in older people, including those with chronic sensory and musculoskeletal conditions. Evidence shows a consistent trend toward footwear interventions markedly improving lateral stability measures, which are predictors of falls in the elderly. In-depth investigation of neurophysiologic responses to footwear interventions is necessary to help confirm any sensorimotor adaptations. The long-term effects of footwear interventions on balance, gait, and the prevention of falls in older people require further investigation. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 103(6): 516–533, 2013)

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Balance in children born prematurely currently aged 6–7

Biomedical Human Kinetics ◽

10.1515/bhk-2017-0025 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 181-186

Author(s):

Ewa Dziuba ◽

Justyna Drzał-Grabiec ◽

Aleksandra Truszczyńska-Baszak ◽

Katarzyna Guzek ◽

Katarzyna Zajkiewicz

Keyword(s):

Premature Birth ◽

Standardized Test ◽

Balance Control ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Control Group ◽

Body Balance ◽

Education Material ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Right ◽

The Impact

SummaryStudy aim: Premature birth is one of the major problems of obstetrics, leading to numerous complications that are associated with prematurity, for instance balance disorders. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of premature birth on the ability to maintain balance in children commencing their school education. Material and methods: The study included children aged 6-7 years. The study group consisted of 59 children (31 girls and 28 boys, mean age 6.38 ± SD 0.73) born prematurely between 24 and 35 weeks of gestation. The control group consisted of 61 children (28 girls and 33 boys, mean age 6.42 ± 0.58) born at term. The research utilized standardized test tools - one-leg open-eyed and closed-eyed standing test, one-leg jumping test - and an original questionnaire survey. Results: The children born at term achieved better results in the majority of tests. The comparison of girls and boys born prematurely and at term showed no statistically significant difference between them in terms of dynamic balance, static balance or total balance control. The comparison of the tests performed on the right and left lower limb in prematurely born children showed no statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Premature birth affects the ability to maintain body balance. The results of the study indicate the need to develop coordination skills that shape body balance in prematurely born children.

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Lighten Up! Postural Instructions Affect Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz056 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Rajal G Cohen ◽

Jason L Baer ◽

Ramyaa Ravichandra ◽

Daniel Kral ◽

Craig McGowan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Tai Chi ◽

Balance Control ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Center Of Mass ◽

Quiet Standing ◽

Upright Posture ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Eyes Open

Abstract Background and Objectives Increased fall risk in older adults is associated with declining balance. Previous work showed that brief postural instructions can affect balance control in older adults with Parkinson’s disease. Here, we assessed the effects of brief instructions on static and dynamic balance in healthy older adults. Research Design and Methods Nineteen participants practiced three sets of instructions, then attempted to implement each instructional set during: (1) quiet standing on foam for 30 s with eyes open; (2) a 3-s foot lift. “Light” instructions relied on principles of reducing excess tension while encouraging length. “Effortful” instructions relied on popular concepts of effortful posture correction. “Relax” instructions encouraged minimization of effort. We measured kinematics and muscle activity. Results During quiet stance, Effortful instructions increased mediolateral jerk and path length. In the foot lift task, Light instructions led to the longest foot-in-air duration and the smallest anteroposterior variability of the center of mass, Relax instructions led to the farthest forward head position, and Effortful instructions led to the highest activity in torso muscles. Discussion and Implications Thinking of upright posture as effortless may reduce excessive co-contractions and improve static and dynamic balance, while thinking of upright posture as inherently effortful may make balance worse. This may partly account for the benefits of embodied mindfulness practices such as tai chi and Alexander technique for balance in older adults. Pending larger-scale replication, this discovery may enable physiotherapists and teachers of dance, exercise, and martial arts to improve balance and reduce fall risk in their older students and clients simply by modifying how they talk about posture.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Minimally Invasive Surgery in Morbidly Obese Women.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.737043468.793570312 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Eva Chalas

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive Surgery ◽

Minimally Invasive ◽

Invasive Surgery ◽

Morbidly Obese ◽

Obese Women

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A new customised placental weight standard redefines the relationship between maternal obesity and extremes of placental size and is more closely associated with pregnancy complications than an existing population standard

Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease ◽

10.1017/s2040174419000576 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 350-359

Author(s):

Jacqueline M. Wallace ◽

Joeleita P. Agard ◽

Graham W. Horgan

Keyword(s):

Pregnancy Complications ◽

Maternal Obesity ◽

Population Based ◽

Multiple Regression Model ◽

Placental Weight ◽

Morbidly Obese ◽

Obese Women ◽

Entire Cohort ◽

Multiparous Women ◽

The Difference

AbstractPlacental weight is a valuable indicator of its function, predicting both pregnancy outcome and lifelong health. Population-based centile charts of weight-for-gestational-age and parity are useful for identifying extremes of placental weight but fail to consider maternal size. To address this deficit, a multiple regression model was fitted to derive coefficients for predicting normal placental weight using records from healthy pregnancies of nulliparous/multiparous women of differing height and weight (n = 107,170 deliveries, 37–43 weeks gestation). The difference between actual and predicted placental weight generated a z-score/individual centile for the entire cohort including women with pregnancy complications (n = 121,591). The association between maternal BMI and placental weight extremes defined by the new customised versus population-based standard was investigated by logistic regression, as was the association between low placental weight and pregnancy complications. Underweight women had a greater risk of low placental weight [<10thcentile, OR 1.84 (95% CI 1.66, 2.05)] and obese women had a greater risk of high placental weight [>90th centile, OR 1.98 (95% CI 1.88, 2.10)] using a population standard. After customisation, the risk of high placental weight in obese/morbidly obese women was attenuated [OR 1.17 (95% CI 1.09, 1.25)]/no longer significant, while their risk of low placental weight was 59%–129% higher (P < 0.001). The customised placental weight standard was more closely associated with stillbirth, hypertensive disease, placental abruption and neonatal death than the population standard. Our customised placental weight standard reveals higher risk of relative placental growth restriction leading to lower than expected birthweights in obese women, and a stronger association between low placental weight and pregnancy complications generally. Further, it provides an alternative tool for defining placental weight extremes with implications for the placental programming of chronic disease.

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Research on Dynamic Balance Method of Precision Centrifuge

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.945-949.777 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 945-949 ◽

pp. 777-780

Author(s):

Tao Liu ◽

Yong Xu ◽

Bo Yuan Mao

Keyword(s):

Mathematical Model ◽

Balance Control ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Dynamic Balancing ◽

Structure Characteristics ◽

Balance System ◽

Simulation Results ◽

Set Up ◽

System Controller ◽

The Mathematical Model

Firstly, according to the structure characteristics of precision centrifuge, the mathematical model of its dynamic balancing system was set up, and the dynamic balancing scheme of double test surfaces, double emendation surfaces were established. Then the dynamic balance system controller of precision centrifuge was designed. Simulation results show that the controller designed can completely meet the requirements of precision centrifuge dynamic balance control system.

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One-year outcome of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in morbidly obese adolescents

Annals of Pediatric Surgery ◽

10.1186/s43159-021-00098-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mohamed El ghazeery ◽

Mohamed Elsawaf ◽

Mohamed Ashour ◽

Mohamed Metwaly ◽

Mohamed Hashish

Keyword(s):

Sleeve Gastrectomy ◽

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy ◽

Fatty Infiltration ◽

Adolescent Obesity ◽

Morbidly Obese ◽

Safe Procedure ◽

Short Term ◽

Obese Adolescents ◽

Important Health ◽

One Year

Abstract Background Adolescent obesity is an important health issue. Non-surgical weight management programs, even the most aggressive, have shown modest weight reduction results. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is gaining reliability as a low surgical risk bariatric procedure with proper efficiency for this age group. The aim of this study was to present our initial experience with LSG in morbidly obese adolescents and to report short-term clinical and metabolic outcome. Results Mean age was 16.43 years, and mean preoperative weight and body mass index (BMI) were 132.68 kg and 48.90 respectively. Mean excess weight loss (EWL) was 54.11 kg 1 year after LSG, corresponding to 74 EWL% as well as mean BMI loss (BML) of 19.89. LSG improved fatty infiltration of the liver in 75% of cases and other comorbidities in 100% of patients. Conclusions LSG proved to be a safe procedure with significant short-term clinical and metabolic success for adolescent obesity.

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