Abstract
Background: Obesity and overweight are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation and are associated with balance disorders. Objective: To assess the postural stability in a natural stance in overweight and obese women based on center of pressure (CoP) velocity in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions. Methods: A total of 102 women categorized according to body mass index into normal weight, overweight and obese categories underwent a measurement of quiet standing with their eyes open (EO) and with their eyes closed (EC). Postural stability was assessed with a force platform. The mean CoP velocity was evaluated in both directions. Results: In the AP direction under EO conditions, obese women swayed significantly faster than normal weight women (1.01 cm/s and 0.80 cm/s). In the ML direction, a higher CoP velocity was observed in normal weight women than in obese women (0.52 cm/s and 0.41 cm/s). Under EC conditions in the AP direction, obese women swayed significantly faster than normal weight women (1.29 cm/s and 0.97 cm/s). In the ML direction, a higher CoP velocity was observed in normal weight women than in obese women (0.65 cm/s and 0.48 cm/s). Conclusions: Results suggest a negative impact of obesity on postural stability in the AP direction. In the ML direction, obese women were more stable than normal weight women, probably due to enlargement of the support base in a natural stance.
Highlights
Obesity is among the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century, and it significantly increases the risk of developing numerous medical conditions
Dutil et al (2013) reported decreased postural stability in obese older women based on increased center of pressure (CoP) velocity
The aim of our study was to assess postural stability in overweight and obese middle-aged women based on CoP velocity in different directions
Summary
Obesity is among the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century, and it significantly increases the risk of developing numerous medical conditions. There have been few studies regarding excessive body weight and postural control in middle-aged women (Błaszczyk, CieślinskaŚwider, Plewa, Zahorska-Markiewicz, & Markiewicz, 2009; Cruz-Gómez, Plascencia, Villanueva-Padrón, & Jáuregui-Renaud, 2011; Dutil et al, 2013; Hita-Contreras et al, 2013) These studies have used different parameters to assess postural stability. It has mostly been used as an overall parameter and not in individual directions For this reason, the aim of our study was to assess postural stability in overweight and obese middle-aged women based on CoP velocity in different directions. Objective: To assess the postural stability in a natural stance in overweight and obese women based on center of pressure (CoP) velocity in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions. In the ML direction, obese women were more stable than normal weight women, probably due to enlargement of the support base in a natural stance
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