scholarly journals Characteristics of Standing Postural Control in Women under Additional Load

Author(s):  
Bożena Wojciechowska-Maszkowska ◽  
Dorota Borzucka

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.

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 418-427
Author(s):  
Yücel Makaracı ◽  
Recep Soslu ◽  
Ömer Özer ◽  
Abdullah Uysal

In sports such as basketball and volleyball, loss of balance due to the inability to maintain body stability and lack of postural control adversely affect athletic performance. Deaf athletes appear to struggle with balance and postural stability problems. The purpose of this study was to examine postural sway values in parallel and single leg stance of Olympic deaf basketball and volleyball players and reveal differences between the branches. Twenty-three male athletes from the Turkish national deaf basketball (n= 11) and volleyball (n= 12) teams participated in the study. After anthropometric measurements, the subjects completed postural sway (PS) tests in parallel/single leg stances with open eyes and closed eyes on a force plate. PS parameters (sway path, velocity, and area) obtained from the device software were used for the statistical analysis. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare differences in PS parameters between basketball and volleyball players, and the alpha value was accepted as 0.05. Volleyball players had significantly better results in parallel stance and dominant leg PS values than basketball players (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in nondominant leg PS values (P>0.05). We think that proprioceptive and vestibular system enhancing training practices to be performed with stability exercises will be beneficial in terms of both promoting functional stability and interlimb coordination. Trainers and strength coaches should be aware of differences in the postural control mechanism of deaf athletes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harish Chander ◽  
Sachini N. K. Kodithuwakku Arachchige ◽  
Christopher M. Hill ◽  
Alana J. Turner ◽  
Shuchisnigdha Deb ◽  
...  

Background: Virtual reality (VR) is becoming a widespread tool in rehabilitation, especially for postural stability. However, the impact of using VR in a “moving wall paradigm” (visual perturbation), specifically without and with anticipation of the perturbation, is unknown. Methods: Nineteen healthy subjects performed three trials of static balance testing on a force plate under three different conditions: baseline (no perturbation), unexpected VR perturbation, and expected VR perturbation. The statistical analysis consisted of a 1 × 3 repeated-measures ANOVA to test for differences in the center of pressure (COP) displacement, 95% ellipsoid area, and COP sway velocity. Results: The expected perturbation rendered significantly lower (p < 0.05) COP displacements and 95% ellipsoid area compared to the unexpected condition. A significantly higher (p < 0.05) sway velocity was also observed in the expected condition compared to the unexpected condition. Conclusions: Postural stability was lowered during unexpected visual perturbations compared to both during baseline and during expected visual perturbations, suggesting that conflicting visual feedback induced postural instability due to compensatory postural responses. However, during expected visual perturbations, significantly lowered postural sway displacement and area were achieved by increasing the sway velocity, suggesting the occurrence of postural behavior due to anticipatory postural responses. Finally, the study also concluded that VR could be used to induce different postural responses by providing visual perturbations to the postural control system, which can subsequently be used as an effective and low-cost tool for postural stability training and rehabilitation.


Author(s):  
Francesco Palazzo ◽  
Alessandra Nardi ◽  
Niloofar Lamouchideli ◽  
Alfio Caronti ◽  
Anas Alashram ◽  
...  

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.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Silvia Moccellin ◽  
Fernanda G. S. A. Nora ◽  
Paula H. L. Costa ◽  
Patricia Driusso

The hormonal and anatomic changes during pregnancy affect the musculoskeletal system and may lead to instability of static postural control and increased risk of falls. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in static postural control during the three trimesters of pregnancy, using variables derived from the center of pressure. This is a descriptive study in which posturographic tests were applied in four still standing positions, for three trials, with a combination of different visual conditions (eyes open - EO/eyes closed - EC) and support base configurations on 20 non-pregnant women (C) and 13 pregnant women during the gestational period (G1, G2 and G3). For static postural control assessment, a force plate (Bertec®) was used, and the variables analyzed were statokinesigram area, displacement amplitude, displacement velocity and sway frequency. The results demonstrate that, early in pregnancy, the woman's body seems to already change postural control, probably due to increased mobility of the sacroiliac joint and pubic symphysis caused by hormonal factors, and during the trimesters there is a decrease in postural stability, observed as an increase in the elliptical areas, amplitudes of center of pressure displacement and velocity of center of pressure displacement.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Silvia Moccellin ◽  
Fernanda G. S. A. Nora ◽  
Paula H. L. Costa ◽  
Patricia Driusso

<p>The hormonal and anatomic changes during pregnancy affect the musculoskeletal system and may lead to instability of static postural control and increased risk of falls. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in static postural control during the three trimesters of pregnancy, using variables derived from the center of pressure. This is a descriptive study in which posturographic tests were applied in four still standing positions, for three trials, with a combination of different visual conditions (eyes open - EO/eyes closed - EC) and support base configurations on 20 non-pregnant women (C) and 13 pregnant women during the gestational period (G1, G2 and G3). For static postural control assessment, a force plate (Bertec®) was used, and the variables analyzed were statokinesigram area, displacement amplitude, displacement velocity and sway frequency. The results demonstrate that, early in pregnancy, the woman's body seems to already change postural control, probably due to increased mobility of the sacroiliac joint and pubic symphysis caused by hormonal factors, and during the trimesters there is a decrease in postural stability, observed as an increase in the elliptical areas, amplitudes of center of pressure displacement and velocity of center of pressure displacement.</p>


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0246010
Author(s):  
Taro Fujimaki ◽  
Masanori Wako ◽  
Kensuke Koyama ◽  
Naoto Furuya ◽  
Ryoji Shinohara ◽  
...  

Floating toe (FT) is a frequently seen condition in which a toe is inadequately in contact with the ground. Although toes play an important role in stabilizing standing posture and walking, many aspects of the effects of FT on the body remain unclear. To our knowledge, there have been no reports about the relationship between FT and postural stability, especially in children. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of FT and its relationship with static postural stability in children. Of the 400 children aged 8 years who participated in our cohort study, 396, who were examined for static postural stability, were included in this study. Postural stability and FT were assessed using a foot pressure plate. The sway path length of the center of pressure and the area of the ellipse defined as the size of the area marked by the center of pressure, were measured as an evaluation of static postural stability. We calculated the “floating toe score (FT score: small FT score indicates insufficient ground contact of the toes)” using the image of the plantar footprint obtained at the postural stability measurement. The rate of FT was elevated at more than 90%, and the FT score in the eyes-closed condition was significantly higher than that in the eyes-open condition in both sexes. The FT score significantly correlated with the center of pressure path and area. Our results suggest that ground contact of the toes is not directly related to static postural stability in children, but it may function to stabilize the body when the condition becomes unstable, such as when the eyes are closed.


Perception ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1333-1341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janusz W Blaszczyk ◽  
Paul D Hansen ◽  
Deborah L Lowe

Decline in the perception of the borders of postural stability due to increase in sway was evaluated in young and elderly subjects. Ranges of lateral and anteroposterior postural sway were measured in eleven young and eleven elderly subjects during maximum voluntary excursions of center of gravity while leaning forward, backward, left, and right. In both age groups, displacement of the center of gravity out of the reference position resulted in increases in the range of sway in the plane corresponding to the direction of lean. Young subjects who further displaced their center of gravity within the base of support also exhibited significantly elevated anteroposterior sway range while leaning forward and backward, both in eyes-closed and in eyes-open experimental conditions. The elderly subjects, however, showed greater mediolateral oscillation of center of gravity while leaning forward with their eyes open. No significant intergroup differences in the anteroposterior sway range during leans in the mediolateral plane were found. However, a greater mediolateral component of sway range at lateral borders of stability was observed in the young adults. Analysis of signal-to-noise ratios indicated a greater decline in stability control in the elderly, due to impairment of perception of postural stability borders.


Author(s):  
Anne Beuter ◽  
Roberto Hernández ◽  
Robert Rigal ◽  
Julien Modolo ◽  
Pierre J. Blanchet

Objective:To characterize postural stability control and levodopa responsiveness in early Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods:Postural sway was studied during quiet stance in ten patients within six years of PD onset, both before (OFF) and after (ON) regular oral levodopa dosing. Postural sway was recorded using a force platform during 30 sec with eyes open, and six dependent variables were examined.Results:Mild baseline subclinical changes in postural sway were recorded in our patients. Clear benefit was observed in five out of six characteristics (mean sway, transversal sway, sagittal sway, sway intensity, and sway area) in the ON condition.Conclusion:Postural control mechanisms are affected early in PD and modulated by dopamine.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 435-441
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Glass ◽  
Christopher K. Rhea ◽  
Matthew W. Wittstein ◽  
Scott E. Ross ◽  
John P. Florian ◽  
...  

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.


Author(s):  
Marcio Rogério De Oliveira ◽  
Luana Da Silva Matos ◽  
Paula Thamirys Chaves Simon ◽  
Rubens Alexandre Da Silva Jr ◽  
Viviane De Souza Pinho Costa

Introduction: To be sedentary and have any disease with regard to vestibular pathology can compromise the performance of the postural control and increases the risk of falls. Objective: This study aimed to compare the postural control of elderly active, sedentary and vestibular pathology. Methods:  The sample consisted of 45 elderly separated according to their current health condition: elderly active, sedentary and with vestibulopathy. The postural balance tests were performed in bipedal support, eyes open and the variables measured by the force platform were the center of pressure and average speeds of postural sway in the directions, anteroposterior (A/P) and medial-lateral (M/L). Results: Elderly with vestibulopathy presented significantly poorer postural balance (P <0.05) that active and sedentary group, with large size effect: in mean d >0.80. Conclusion: Elderly with vestibulopathy have poor postural balance that elderly active and sedentary. These findings have any implications for programs of rehabilitation for vestibular disorders. 


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