Postural Control and Sleep Quality in Cognitive Dual Tasking in Healthy Young Adults

Marina Saraiva,Orlando Fernandes,Maria António Castro,Joel Marouvo,João Paulo Vilas-Boas

doi:10.3390/j4030021

Abstract

Although sleep quality disorders can have a negative effect on postural control, studies about this subject are scarce. The aim of this study is to assess the differences in standing posture performance during dual tasking between healthy young adults with a good and poor sleep quality. Thirty-five healthy participants (23.09 ± 3.97 years) performed a postural task (standing posture single task ((ST)) and a dual task (DT): quiet standing while performing a concurrent cognitive task, while the total excursion of the center of pressure (TOTEX CoP), the displacement anterior–posterior (CoP-AP) and medial–lateral (CoP-ML), the mean total velocity displacement of CoP (MVELO CoP) and ellipse sway area (CEA) were measured with a force plate. After assessing the sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, they were divided into two groups (good ((n = 21)) and poor ((n = 14)) sleep quality) to establish comparisons. This study revealed no significant differences in TOTEX CoP, CoP-ML, CoP-AP, MVELO CoP, and CEA among both sleep quality groups. In conclusion, differences in the sleep quality (good or poor sleep quality) among young adults appear not to be a relevant factor in the CoP variation, but the DT versus ST can compromise postural control performance independently of the sleep quality.

Highlights

Postural control results from the complex integration of the central nervous system with the visual, vestibular, proprioceptive, and musculoskeletal systems
There is a lack of studies among young adults and healthy people on the postural control and quality of sleep in dual-task performance; the aim of this study is to assess differences in standing posture performance (CoP) during cognitive dual tasking between healthy young adults with a good and poor sleep quality
This study investigated the differences in static postural control between good and poor sleep groups during a single task and cognitive dual task, in healthy young adults

Summary

Introduction

Postural control results from the complex integration of the central nervous system with the visual, vestibular, proprioceptive, and musculoskeletal systems. Maintaining adequate postural control during quiet standing or walking is fundamental to perform daily life activities and preventing injuries or falls. Postural control integrates the postural orientation and postural equilibrium, these processes are fundamental requirements to stabilize the body and to maintain balance in an upright stance, and it is very important for successful performance of movements [2]. The quiet standing position is a complex task that involves the integration of multiple body segments, musculoskeletal and proprioceptive systems with the aim to regulate balance while staying upright in a static position.

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Conclusion