Postural stability during static strain before and after a submaximal aerobic bicycle test in athletes

Abstract

The aim of study was to investigate static balance control in wrestlers (n = 31) and effects of fatigue on postural regulation in two position: bipedal stance and squat position with open eyes prior to and 2 min after bicycle PWC(170) test. A force platform ("Ritm". Russia) was used to determine static balance control. We found a minimum difference in postural control between wrestlers and controls prior to exercise in bipedal stance. In squat position linear and angular (all p < 0.001) sway velocity of centre of pressure were lower in wrestlers and were negatively correlated to PWC(170) index (r = 0.454 and r = 455, p < 0.001 with linear and angular sway velocities respectively) indicating that 20% dispersion of sway velocities in static strain position may be determined to physical working capacity. After PWC(170) test all parameters of sway were increased in both groups both in bipedal stance (p < 0.01) and squat position (p < 0.001) indicating an important role of muscular fatigue in the decrease of postural stability in both groups. Linear velocity after PWC(170) in bipedal stance increased to an equal extent in both groups but the increases of velocities of sway of centre of pressure in squat position were lower in athletes (ANOVA, p = 0.037 for linear and p = 0.008 for angular sway velocities respectively) and were negatively correlated to an extent of recovery of heart rate after PWC(170) indicating some contribution (6.5-14.2% of dispersion of linear and angular sway velocities) of an recovery rate to maintenance of a high level of postural stability in an static strain position in wrestlers during physical fatigue.