Swimming, better than tennis, develops sensorimotor adaptabilities involved in postural balance in 5-6-year-old children

Abstract

Purpose The present study aimed to evaluate the postural balance of young tennis players and young swimming practitioners in static and dynamic conditions. Methods Thirty-six children (5–6 years old) participated in 3 groups: 12 tennis players, 12 swimming practitioners and 12 controls. Static and dynamic [in medial lateral (ML) and anterior posterior (AP) planes] postural balance were assessed by the centre of pressure sways using a stabilometric force platform in the eyes opened (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions. Results In the EO condition, swimming practitioners and tennis players had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) centre of pressure mean velocity (CoPVm) compared to controls in both static and dynamic medial-lateral (D-ML) postures. In the D-ML posture, swimming practitioners showed lower CoPVm compared to tennis players. However, in the EC condition, only the swimming practitioners showed better static and D-ML postural balance (p < 0.05) compared to their counterparts. In the static posture, the Romberg index value was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in tennis players compared to the two other groups. Conclusion Tennis players developed a higher reliance on vision to maintain balance, whereas swimming practitioners were more stable in challenging postural conditions. Clinicians should consider incorporating swimming training rather than tennis as an appropriate balance training in fall-prevention programs.