Is Wobble Board Balance Performance Influenced by Sex and Anthropometric Characteristics?

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that balance can be influenced by anthropometric characteristics and sex. However, controversial findings are reported, mainly due to the large variability in subjects tested and methodologies adopted. Therefore, new hi-tech approaches, able to limit this variability, are needed to accurately evaluate balance control. PURPOSE: To assess the influence of anthropometric characteristics and sex on computerized wobble board (WB) balance measures. METHODS: Forty-eight (women=24; men=24) young (age=24.0±3.0years) adults were selected to cover a wide range of anthropometrics (mass=64.6±11.5kg; height=167.3±8.5cm; body mass index [BMI]=23.0±3.2kg·m-2). Subjects performed three 30-second trials per limb on a WB equipped with a triaxial accelerometer. Time (s) spent on the platform keeping it flat at 0° was collected for subsequent analysis. Pearson’s correlation was used to evaluate the relationships between WB values and the anthropometrics (height, mass, BMI). ANOVA was used to examine WB performance differences between sex for dominant and non-dominant limbs (p<0.05). RESULTS: The measured anthropometrics did not significantly correlate with the WB performance. Although women (dominant limb=19.2±4.6s; non-dominant limb=19.8±4.9s) presented better balance than men (dominant limb=18.8±3.5s; non-dominant limb=19.1±4.1s), no significant sex differences were observed for both dominant (p=0.73) and non-dominant (p=0.60) limb. CONCLUSIONS: Interestingly, anthropometrics and sex did not affect the WB performance. Due to the close relationship previously reported between WB training and ankle muscles activity, it could be hypothesized that the WB performance is affected by their strength, stiffness or activity. WB improvements after training protocol using WB exercises, can be understood as consistent change in performance not affected by other source of variability such as variation in body mass. Therefore, trainable neuromuscular factors should be targeted during training protocols to gain postural control improvements, without controlling the anthropometrics, independently from the sex. From a clinical point of view, during preventive and rehabilitative programs a special attention should be given to the ankle muscles.