Abstract
Background/aim: Weight gain is associated with balance disorders. This study intends to evaluate the postural stability in a natural stance in overweight and obese men by measuring the center of pressure (CoP) velocity in the medial-lateral (ML) and anteriorposterior (AP) directions. Materials and methods: A total number of 111 men categorized according to body mass index (BMI) into normal weight, overweight, and obese categories underwent a measurement of quiet standing with eyes open (EO) and with eyes closed (EC). Postural stability was assessed using a force platform. The average of CoP velocity was assessed in the two directions. Results: In the AP direction under EO and EC conditions, obese men swayed significantly quicker than men with normal weight. In the ML direction under EO and EC conditions, a higher velocity of CoP was seen in normal weight men than in obese men. Conclusion: The results propose a negative influence of obesity on postural stability in the AP direction. In the ML direction, obese men were more stable than normal weight men, probably caused by enlargement of the base of support in a natural stance.
Highlights
Obesity is one of the most important public health problems in the twenty-first century and it drastically raises the danger of creating numerous medical illnesses
Materials and methods: A total number of 111 men categorized according to body mass index (BMI) into normal weight, overweight, and obese categories underwent a measurement of quiet standing with eyes open (EO) and with eyes closed (EC)
In the ML direction under EO and EC conditions, a higher velocity of center of pressure (CoP) was seen in normal weight men than in obese men
Summary
Obesity is one of the most important public health problems in the twenty-first century and it drastically raises the danger of creating numerous medical illnesses. The word ‘globesity’ in some reports shows the seriousness of this problem at the global level. Excessive body weight with unusual or extreme fat gathering is associated with changes in body geometry and posture [2,3,4]. Some researchers have shown that in obese people body size and shape influence static postural stability by adjusting the location of the center of gravity [5]. A center of gravity (CoG) found closer to the anterior edge of the base of support, because of the extra weight of the abdominal cavity, apparently leads to raised ankle torque, which is necessary to maintain balance [5]
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