Dynamic Balance Control Research Articles

Quick on Your Feet: Modifying the Star Excursion Balance Test with a Cognitive Motor Response Time Task.

The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is a common assessment used across clinical and research settings to test dynamic standing balance. The primary measure of this test is maximal reaching distance performed by the non-stance limb. Response time (RT) is a critical cognitive component of dynamic balance control and the faster the RT, the better the postural control and recovery from a postural perturbation. However, the measure of RT has not been done in conjunction with SEBT, especially with musculoskeletal fatigue. The purpose of this study is to examine RT during a SEBT, creating a modified SEBT (mSEBT), with a secondary goal to examine the effects of muscular fatigue on RT during SEBT. Sixteen healthy young male and female adults [age: 20 ± 1 years; height: 169.48 ± 8.2 cm; weight: 67.93 ± 12.7 kg] performed the mSEBT in five directions for three trials, after which the same was repeated with a response time task using Blazepod™ with a random stimulus. Participants then performed a low-intensity musculoskeletal fatigue task and completed the above measures again. A 2 × 2 × 3 repeated measures ANOVA was performed to test for differences in mean response time across trials, fatigue states, and leg reach as within-subjects factors. All statistical analyses were conducted in JASP at an alpha level of 0.05. RT was significantly faster over the course of testing regardless of reach leg or fatigue state (p = 0.023). Trial 3 demonstrated significantly lower RT compared to Trial 1 (p = 0.021). No significant differences were found between fatigue states or leg reach. These results indicate that response times during the mSEBT with RT is a learned skill that can improve over time. Future research should include an extended familiarization period to remove learning effects and a greater fatigue state to test for differences in RT during the mSEBT.

Screening testing and computerized vestibulometry in vestibular neuronitis

Introduction. The demonstrative example of unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy is vestibular neuronitis. This disease of infectious-toxic origin has the involvement of vestibular ganglia neurons or vestibular nerve fibers. The overwhelming moment in topic diagnostics of vestibular impairments is within-patient comparison anamnesis data and vestibulometry results. In cases of vestibular neuronitis exception of central vestibular system pathology is mandatory. Objective. To attain objectification of disequilibrium in vestibular neuronitis by means of registration and assessment of oculogyric and postural reactions. Materials and methods. Vestibular passport trials are recommended in the examination of patients with acute vertiginous complaints. Special attention has been given to the revelation of impairments of command eye movements, disturbances of ocular pursuit, spontaneous nystagmus, and catch-up saccades in Halmagyi – Curthoys test. Possible impairments of static and dynamic balance control are assessed in modified Romberg test and Unterberger test. Gaze tests with registration of saccadic and pursuit eye movements, spontaneous and optokinetic nystagmus reactions as well bithermal caloric test are carried out in computerized electrooculography and videooculography. Deviations of body gravity center are analyzed with the help of sensory organization test in computerized dynamic posturography. Results and discussion. The results of screening and computerized vestibular testing of 24 patients are presented. High diagnostic value of registration and analysis of oculogyric reactions as well as postural control signs is demonstrated in cases of acute vestibular neuronitis and acerbation of its chronic recurrent variant. The key objective symptom, which confirms peripheral level of vestibular dysfunction, is spontaneous nystagmus registration in elimination of gaze fixation. Unsteadiness in static and dynamic trials confirms the vestibular decompensation extent in acute phase of vestibular ganglia / neurons pathology in cases of vestibular neuronitis. Decompensation signs revelation of this peripheral vestibular dysfunction needs urgent medicine: possible etiotropic and obligate symptomatic therapy as well as spare vestibular rehabilitation exercises. Conclusion. Combination of oculogyric impairments and disturbances of postural control enables to improve accuracy of diagnostics in decompensated stage of vestibular neuronitis.

Comparison of ground reaction force and marker-based methods to estimate mediolateral center of mass displacement and margins of stability during walking

Dynamic balance control during human walking can be described by the distance between the mediolateral (ML) extrapolated center of mass (XCoM) position and the base of support, the margin of stability (MoS). The ML center of mass (CoM) position during treadmill walking can be estimated based on kinematic data (marker-based method) and a combination of ground reaction forces and center of pressure positions (GRF-based method). Here, we compare a GRF-based method with a full-body marker-based method for estimating the ML CoM, ML XCoM and ML MoS. Fifteen healthy adults walked on a dual-belt treadmill at comfortable walking speed for three minutes. Kinetic and kinematic data were collected and analyzed using a GRF-based and marker-based method to compare the ML CoM, ML XCoM and ML MoS. High correlation coefficients (r > 0.98) and small differences (Root Mean Square Difference < 0.0072 m) in ML CoM and ML XCoM were found between the GRF-based and marker-based methods. The GRF-based method resulted in larger ML XCoM excursion (0.0118 ± 0.0074 m) and smaller ML MoS values (0.0062 ± 0.0028 m) than the marker-based method, but these differences were consistent across participants. In conclusion, the GRF-based method is a valid method to determine the ML CoM, XCoM and MoS. One should be aware of higher ML XCoM and smaller ML MoS values in the GRF-based method when comparing absolute values between studies. The GRF-based method strongly reduces measurement times and can be used to provide real-time CoM-CoP feedback during treadmill gait training.

Body’s Center of Mass Motion Relative to the Center of Pressure during Gait, and Its Correlation with Standing Balance in Patients with Lumbar Spondylosis

Lumbar spondylosis (LS) is a common degenerative spine disease that often leads to impaired motor control, sensory changes, and imbalance. The current study aimed to compare the dynamic balance control between patients with LS and healthy controls in terms of inclination angles (IA) and the rate of change of IA (RCIA) of the center of mass relative to the center of pressure (COM–COP motion) during walking and to identify the correlation between dynamic balance and standing balance in patients with LS. Eleven patients with LS and eleven healthy controls performed level walking and static standing in a gait laboratory while their whole-body motion and ground reaction forces were measured to calculate the IA and RCIA. Gait temporal–spatial parameters were also recorded. Correlations between the COP motions during standing balance and COM–COP motions during gait were quantified using Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r). In the sagittal plane, the patients increased posterior IA with decreased posterior RCIA during the double-limb support phase of gait and showed decreased anterior RCIA, with small ranges of IA and RCIA during the single-limb support phase (p &lt; 0.05). In the frontal plane, the patients increased medial–lateral ranges of RCIA and medial IA during the double-limb support phase of gait and increased medial RCIA and ranges of IA during the single-limb support phase of gait (p &lt; 0.05). A moderate to strong correlation was found between dynamic balance and standing balance in the patients (p &lt; 0.05). The patients presented a conservative anterior–posterior dynamic balance control but an unstable medial–lateral dynamic balance control during walking, which may be related to the decreased gait speed. The results showed that the greater the postural sway in the patients’ standing balance, the more conservative the dynamic balance control in the sagittal plane, and the greater the risk of imbalance in the frontal plane. It is thus suggested that dynamic balance control deviations during gait in patients with LS cannot be deduced solely from standing balance test data, and should thus be monitored via dynamic approaches in clinical applications.

스마트 자동차 좌석을 이용한 엉덩이의 동적 균형조절이 코어 등근육 활성도에 미치는 효과

Sitting in a car seat for a long time causes fatigue in muscles such as trapezius and paraspinal muscles, which increases muscle fatigue and tension and eventually causes in degenerative spinal changes and pain. Therefore, the authors attempt to investigate the effect of trapezius and lower back muscle activity changes on whether fatigue may be improved by balancing the buttock contact pressure in the sitting position. The purpose of this study was to assess the electrophysiologic effect of dynamic balance control for the trapezius and lower core back muscles through wireless surface electromyographic evaluation using the smart car seat equipped with an ICT-based air bladder. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was measured for each 32 participant’s trapezius and lumbar back muscles in three phases: 1) initial on standing, 2) seated for 25 minutes without balancing ischial pressure, 3) seated for 25 minutes with balancing ischial pressure, and then sEMG was measured for 1 minute on the standing of three individual phases. In the trapezius and low back muscles, the sEMG value of the three-phase MVIC showed a statistically significant increase in the left side compared to the right side (p0.0001). % MVIC difference increased in unbalanced seating (7.32±0.83) compared to the initial measure (7.24±1.72). However, it decreased with balancing seating(6.73±1.81, p=0.049). There was no statistically significant difference in the overall %MVIC differences between both lower back muscles among three phases (p=0.35), but the balanced seating showed a slightly increased % MVIC difference (p=0.10) in contrast to that of the trapezius. Balanced control of hip pressure using automatic logic control of ICT-based smart car seats has the effect of reducing the left-right difference in muscle activity of upper core muscles compared to that of non-balanced seating. Conclusively, it is believed that the difference in the left and right imbalances in the activity of trapezius can be alleviated through the pressure balance seating at the driver’s seat, and the effect of improving muscle fatigue can be expected. Nevertheless, driving in a sitting position, regardless of balance control, the lower core muscles continue to increase the activity of the lumbar muscles, which inevitably causes pain, discomfort, and fatigue over time. Wireless bio-sensing and balanced seat control using ICT-integrated smart car seats can be used as important application science fields that can improve muscle fatigue and degenerative spinal changes associated with professional workers.

Turning and multitask gait unmask gait disturbance in mild-to-moderate multiple sclerosis: Underlying specific cortical thinning and connecting fibers damage.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes gait and cognitive impairments that are partially normalized by compensatory mechanisms. We aimed to identify the gait tasks that unmask gait disturbance and the underlying neural correlates in MS. We included 25 patients with MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale score: median 2.0, interquartile range 1.0-2.5) and 19 healthy controls. Fast-paced gait examinations with inertial measurement units were conducted, including straight or circular walking with or without cognitive/motor tasks, and the timed up and go test (TUG). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to distinguish both groups by the gait parameters. The correlation between gait parameters and cortical thickness or fractional anisotropy values was examined by using three-dimensional T1-weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging, respectively (corrected p < .05). Total TUG duration (>6.0s, sensitivity 88.0%, specificity 84.2%) and stride velocity during cognitive dual-task circular walking (<1.12 m/s, 84.0%, 84.2%) had the highest discriminative power of the two groups. Deterioration of these gait parameters was correlated with thinner cortical thickness in regional areas, including the left precuneus and left temporoparietal junction, overlapped with parts of the default mode network, ventral attention network, and frontoparietal network. Total TUG duration was negatively correlated with fractional anisotropy values in the deep cerebral white matter areas. Turning and multitask gait may be optimal to unveil partially compensated gait disturbance in patients with mild-to-moderate MS through dynamic balance control and multitask processing, based on the structural damage in functional networks.

P.166 Clinical outcome study of dysferlinopathy: The impact of lower limb orthoses on gait- a longitudinal single case study

Patients with limb girdle muscular dystrophy, LGMDR2/2B, caused by mutations in the <i>DYSF</i> gene, have a distinct gait pattern and may be prescribed Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFOs) to assist walking. However, there are few studies investigating the efficacy of orthoses in LGMD. In the Jain Foundation clinical outcome study for dysferlinopathy II (COSII, http://www.jain-foundation.org/dysferlinoutcomestudy), we are investigating the utility of instrumented gait analysis as a novel clinical biomarker. The aim of this study was to examine the temporospatial gait parameters of a 30-year-old male with LGMDR2, when walking shod, with and without a pair of silicon AFOs. The patient completed gait analysis at baseline and six-month visits using an instrumented walkway, the GAITRite, 240Hz. Temporospatial characteristics including gait velocity, step length, step width, stance and swing duration were extracted. The differences between walking with and without the AFO were examined at each time point and longitudinally. At baseline, when wearing the AFOs, there was negligible impact on walking speed, step length, stance time compared to shod walking without AFOs (<3% difference between walking conditions). Step width increased by 25% when wearing the AFOs. At six months, his shod walking speed and step length demonstrated little change (<5%), but step width increased by 12% and double limb support increased by 5%. When wearing the AFOs at six months, and compared to shod walking, walking speed and step length increased by <5%, double limb support reduced by 6% and step width increased by 11%. The patient reported at both time points that he wouldn't walk outside the home without wearing the AFO. This study has demonstrated that AFOs influenced gait outcomes relating to dynamic balance control and stability. Although only minimal changes were observed when wearing the AFO at baseline, substantial improvements in walking were observed when wearing the AFO at six months. Further work in a larger number of patients will help to understand indications for AFO prescription in LGMDR2 and other LGMDs.

Does Physical Activity Moderate the Relationship between Myopia and Functional Status in Children 9-11 Years of Age?

Although previous studies have reported an association between physical activity (PA) and myopia in school-aged children, little is known about the link between myopia and children’s functional status. The purpose of this study was to investigate dynamic balance control in relation to the daily PA levels of myopic schoolchildren aged 9–11 years (n = 52) versus a non-myopic control group (n = 53). A single leg stance test performed on the instability platform of the Biodex Balance System was used to assess balance control. The overall stability index (OSI), anterior-posterior stability index (APSI) and medial-lateral stability index (MLSI) were analyzed. PA levels were calculated using the World Health Organization European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative family record form. Myopes and non-myopes were separated into three subgroups based on PA level (low, moderate and high). Myopia significantly affected OSI (F = 40.46, p < 0.001), APSI (F = 33.93, p < 0.001) and MLSI (F = 49.51, p < 0.001). There were significant differences (p < 0.001) between myopic and non-myopic children with low and moderate levels of PA, whilst there were no differences between compared children with high levels of PA. High PA levels had a positive impact on balance control in myopes. Our results showed that PA levels moderate the relationship between myopia and children’s functional status.

Changes in dynamic balance control in adults with obesity across walking speeds

Adults with obesity have gait instability, leading to increased fall risks and decreased physical activity. Whole-body angular momentum (WBAM) is regulated over a gait cycle, essential to avoid a fall. However, how obese adults regulate WBAM during walking is unknown. The current study investigated changes in WBAM about the body’s center of mass (COM) during walking in obese and non-obese adults across different walking speeds. Twenty-eight young adults with obesity and normal weight walked barefoot at a fixed walking speed (FWS, 1.25 m/s) and at five different speeds based on their preferred walking speed (PWS): 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 % of PWS. Adults with obesity walked slower with shorter step length, wider step width, and longer double support time (p < 0.01). The ranges of frontal- and transverse-plane WBAM were greater in obese adults (p < 0.01). We also found that the range of frontal-plane WBAM did not significantly change with walking speed (p > 0.05), while the range of transverse-plane WBAM increased with walking speed (p < 0.01). The ranges of frontal- and transverse-plane WBAM increased with the mediolateral ground reaction force and mediolateral moment arm (p < 0.01), which may be most affected by lateral foot placement relative to the body’s COM. Our findings suggest that controlling mediolateral stability during walking is more challenging in obese adults, independent of their slow walking speed. Understanding whole-body rotational dynamics observed in obese walking provides an insight into the biomechanical link between obesity and gait instability, which may help find a way to reduce fall risks and increase physical activity.

Regulation of whole-body and segmental angular momentum in persons with Parkinson's disease on an irregular surface

BackgroundPersons with Parkinson's disease have impaired motor control that increases their chance of falling when walking, especially on difficult terrains. This study investigated how persons with Parkinson's disease regulate their dynamic balance on a regular and an irregular surface. MethodsNine participants with Parkinson's disease and nine healthy, age-matched control participants ambulated on both a regular and an irregular surface. Whole-body and segmental angular momenta were calculated using three-dimensional motion capture data. Major modes of variability between health groups on the two surfaces were investigated using principal component analysis, while differences within each health group between surfaces was investigated using statistical parametric mapping t-tests. FindingsBetween groups, the Parkinson participants had greater sagittal, frontal, and transverse whole-body angular momentum on both surfaces, primarily following heel-strike, and the magnitude difference on the irregular surface was greater than on the regular surface. The greatest between group segmental differences on the irregular compared to the regular surface were the legs in the sagittal plane and the head/trunk/pelvis in the transverse plane, with the Parkinson group having greater magnitudes. The within-group comparison found the Parkinson participants had poorer regulation of whole-body angular momentum in the sagittal plane, while the healthy participants showed no consistent differences between surfaces. InterpretationOn an irregular surface, persons with Parkinson's disease exhibit poor control of dynamic balance in the frontal and sagittal planes. These results emphasize the need for weight transfer techniques and training in both the sagittal and frontal planes to maximize balance and reduce fall risk.

Dynamic tracking effect of a magnetic navigated dual hemisphere capsule robot

AbstractFor diagnostic and therapeutic applications in spacious spots of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the single rigid body capsule clinically applied is difficult to realize the fix-point posture adjustment function manipulated by the external permanent magnet system using the static balance control because the posture alignment and the locomotion interfere with each other. To realize this function easily, the dual hemisphere capsule robot (DHCR) is proposed, based on tracking effect—the axis of DHCR keeps tracking the normal orientation of the spatial universal rotating magnetic vector (SURMV). Since tracking effect employs dynamic balance control, dynamic stability of the DHCR system affects posture alignment performance. This paper focuses on posture alignment dynamic modeling and the influence of the magnetic flux density and the angular velocity of the SURMV, along with the damping coefficient of the GI tract surface on stability, obtaining the stability domains of parameters. Furthermore, to reduce error due to the uncertainties in complex GI tract environment, the sliding mode controller based on nominal model is proposed to achieve more accurate dynamic tracking, and Lyapunov theorem is employed to assess stability of controller. Finally, the tracking effect is verified through simulations and experiments, indicating that the fix-point posture adjustment can be realized with higher accuracy and efficiency.

Visual oscillation effects on dynamic balance control in people with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundPeople with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have balance deficits while ambulating through environments that contain moving objects or visual manipulations to perceived self-motion. However, their ability to parse object from self-movement has not been explored. The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of medial–lateral oscillations of the visual field and of objects within the scene on gait in PwMS and healthy age-matched controls using virtual reality (VR).MethodsFourteen PwMS (mean age 49 ± 11 years, functional gait assessment score of 27.8 ± 1.8, and Berg Balance scale score 54.7 ± 1.5) and eleven healthy controls (mean age: 53 ± 12 years) participated in this study. Dynamic balance control was assessed while participants walked on a treadmill at a self-selected speed while wearing a VR headset that projected an immersive forest scene. Visual conditions consisted of (1) no visual manipulations (speed-matched anterior/posterior optical flow), (2) 0.175 m mediolateral translational oscillations of the scene that consisted of low pairing (0.1 and 0.31 Hz) or (3) high pairing (0.15 and 0.465 Hz) frequencies, (4) 5 degree medial–lateral rotational oscillations of virtual trees at a low frequency pairing (0.1 and 0.31 Hz), and (5) a combination of the tree and scene movements in (3) and (4).ResultsWe found that both PwMS and controls exhibited greater instability and visuomotor entrainment to simulated mediolateral translation of the visual field (scene) during treadmill walking. This was demonstrated by significant (p < 0.05) increases in mean step width and variability and center of mass sway. Visuomotor entrainment was demonstrated by high coherence between center of mass sway and visual motion (magnitude square coherence = ~ 0.5 to 0.8). Only PwMS exhibited significantly greater instability (higher step width variability and center of mass sway) when objects moved within the scene (i.e., swaying trees).ConclusionResults suggest the presence of visual motion processing errors in PwMS that reduced dynamic stability. Specifically, object motion (via tree sway) was not effectively parsed from the observer’s self-motion. Identifying this distinction between visual object motion and self-motion detection in MS provides insight regarding stability control in environments with excessive external movement, such as those encountered in daily life.

Intramuscular coherence during challenging walking in incomplete spinal cord injury: Reduced high-frequency coherence reflects impaired supra-spinal control

Individuals regaining reliable day-to-day walking function after incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) report persisting unsteadiness when confronted with walking challenges. However, quantifiable measures of walking capacity lack the sensitivity to reveal underlying impairments of supra-spinal locomotor control. This study investigates the relationship between intramuscular coherence and corticospinal dynamic balance control during a visually guided Target walking treadmill task. In thirteen individuals with iSCI and 24 controls, intramuscular coherence and cumulant densities were estimated from pairs of Tibialis anterior surface EMG recordings during normal treadmill walking and a Target walking task. The approximate center of mass was calculated from pelvis markers. Spearman rank correlations were performed to evaluate the relationship between intramuscular coherence, clinical parameters, and center of mass parameters. In controls, we found that the Target walking task results in increased high-frequency (21–44 Hz) intramuscular coherence, which negatively related to changes in the center of mass movement, whereas this modulation was largely reduced in individuals with iSCI. The impaired modulation of high-frequency intramuscular coherence during the Target walking task correlated with neurophysiological and functional readouts, such as motor-evoked potential amplitude and outdoor mobility score, as well as center of mass trajectory length. The Target walking effect, the difference between Target and Normal walking intramuscular coherence, was significantly higher in controls than in individuals with iSCI [F(1.0,35.0) = 13.042, p < 0.001]. Intramuscular coherence obtained during challenging walking in individuals with iSCI may provide information on corticospinal gait control. The relationships between biomechanics, clinical scores, and neurophysiology suggest that intramuscular coherence assessed during challenging tasks may be meaningful for understanding impaired supra-spinal control in individuals with iSCI.

Strategy for compensation of unbalanced powers in LV residential distribution networks using distributed single-phase battery systems

Unbalanced powers, due to high penetration of single-phase PV rooftop systems and loads into a low voltage residential distribution system, can result in large neutral current and neutral to ground voltage rise. This paper proposes a distributed cooperative dynamic power balancing control strategy to mitigate the unbalanced powers using single-phase battery storage systems distributed in the low voltage residential distribution system. First, a distributed clustering algorithm is used to aggregate the battery storage systems connected to the same phase into the same cluster. Within each cluster, a distributed average grid power calculation algorithm calculates the average grid power exchanged with the corresponding phase. Then, the proposed distributed cooperative dynamic power balancing control strategy is applied to balance the unbalanced powers using the single-phase battery systems at the given bus while minimizing the power exchanged with the grid. The battery systems’ charge/discharge constraints, power constraints and willingness of the battery systems’ owners to participate in the power balancing control strategy are considered. Performance of the proposed strategy is verified using Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS).

Association Between Sleep Parameters and Postural Control: A Literature Review

Background and Objective The purpose of the review was to explore the association between sleep parameters and postural control.Methods The PubMed, Science Direct, and EBSCO were searched using the keywords ‘sleep’ including either sleep quality, sleep deprivation, poor sleep quality; and ‘postural control’ including either dynamic balance, static balance, postural balance, and balance control. Related studies published till December 2017 were selected.Results Acute sleep deprivation resulted in an impairment in postural control. Chronic sleep deprivation and postural control were also found to be related in a similar way to that of total sleep deprivation, thus affecting postural control negatively. Time of day was found to influence the postural control such that the postural control was better in the morning than in the latter part of the day. A study of the impact of aging on the effects of sleep deprivation on postural control revealed that loss of sleep had a more disturbing effect on postural control in the olderadult group than in younger participants, thus indicating a high risk of fall among the elderly.Conclusions Despite various limitations and methodological differences, this review has identified a negative influence on postural control due to impaired sleep in a wide range of populations, indicating the need for a more focused approach to sleep when assessing and measuring postural control.

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENCE WORKERS THROUGH PROPRIOCEPTIVE EXERCISES

Proprioceptive re-education improves stability and balance control and reduces the risk of injury. Through this research, we intend to emphasise that simple exercises such as simple assessment tests are equally useful in preventing knee sprain, in terms of primary prophylaxis and recurrence prevention. The study involved 15 active military workers (11 male and 4 female) from the Ministry of National Defence, who were included in the category of people practising the sports activities required by their profession. These sports activities are varied and consist of: athletics, martial arts, football, volleyball and military application routes specific to the training of this professional category. We aim to verify the effectiveness of proprioceptive exercises included in an original programme. We applied the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), which is used by clinicians and researchers to assess static and dynamic balance, track performance changes after implementing a prevention or rehabilitation programme and identify people at risk of injury. For the assessment of knee function-related quality of life following the programme applied to participants, we used the Lysholm Scale and 2000 IKDC questionnaires. The statistical results obtained using the dependent t test indicate significant increases in dynamic balance and postural control for both the affected and healthy lower limbs, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the exercise programme used as well as its therapeutic and prophylactic effects. Consequently, the implementation of such a programme can be a measure aimed at improving the health-related quality of life of active military personnel in the Ministry of National Defence.

Development of balance training program to improve balance control among Malaysian sports schools athletes

Background and Study Aim. Complex sports specific movements often require balance ability. This is accountable for injury prevention as well. Balance control is vital to athletes for all sports activities. It is the objective of the current study to develop and identify balance training program effectiveness in improving dynamic balance among athletes in Malaysian National Sport Schools.&#x0D; Material and Methods. This study used a true experimental with control group design, involved dynamic balance control measures before and after intervention. A total of 72 male and female athletes were randomly assigned into experimental group or control group after screening process for eligibility. The experimental group underwent 12 sessions of balance training program and the control group continued their usual training routine. The Y-Balance Test was utilized to quantify dynamic balance for both groups. Data was analyzed using independent and paired sample t-test.&#x0D; Results. The study finding indicated that the experimental group demonstrated significant improvement in the post-test compared to pre-test (p = 0.000, p &lt; 0.001) but no significant changes happened to control group (p = 0.353, p &gt; 0.05). Independent t-test showed during post-test, the experimental group attained better score compared to the control group (p = 0.000, p &lt; 0.001).&#x0D; Conclusions. It is suggested that coaches and athletes may include this balance training program in their training regimen, hoping to help in improving dynamic balance, thus, to reduce risk of lower extremity injuries. Future studies are suggested to increase more variances of balance training and make comparison on their effectiveness as a way to obtain a more effective training program.

What could posturography tell us about balance in essential tremor?

BackgroundEssential tremor (ET) is a neurological disorder characterized primarily by action tremor. Balance impairments in ET patients were formerly considered to be uncommon and simply age-related. However quantitative assessment with posturography has revealed impairments in control of both static and dynamic balance. Research questionThe aim of the present study is to assess postural stability with different posturographic techniques in ET patients. MethodsA prospective cross-sectional study conducted in two University Hospitals. Eleven patients diagnosed with essential tremor and twelve healthy controls were included. Balance assessment were performed with: sensory organization test (SOT) and limits of stability (LOS) of the computer dynamic posturography (CDP), results of free-field body sway analysis with mobile posturography (Vertiguard®), modified timed up and go test (TUG), Dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) and activities-specific balance confidence scale (ABC). ResultsPatients with ET showed poorer scores in the SOT than controls for composite balance and somatosensory input. They also performed worse in LOS tests and Vertiguard® device indicated a higher risk of falling. There were no differences in the modified TUG. The mean score of DHI was 15.64 and 85.16 for ABC. SignificancePosturography assessment (CDP and Vertiguard®) is more accurate in showing balance impairment in ET patients than clinical evaluation (modified TUG). Balance impairment involves deteriorated processing of somatosensory input which could be explained by cerebellar dysfunction. Balance deficits could be included into future diagnostic criteria.

Frontal plane balance during pre-planned and late-cued 90 degree turns while walking

This study evaluated frontal-plane dynamic balance control during 90° left turns while walking. Ten healthy young adults performed straight-line gait, pre-planned turns, and turns cued visually (late-cued turns). We quantified rotational balance control via the range of frontal-plane angular momentum (Hf) about the center of mass (COM), and the relative positioning of the COM and the feet using the horizontal distance from the COM to the lateral edge of the base of support (lateral distance) and the mediolateral margin of stability (MOSml). We hypothesized that the Hf range would increase and the lateral distance and MOSml minima would decrease during each turn type vs. straight-line gait and during late-cued vs. pre-planned turns. We found that the range of Hf was significantly greater during each turn type vs. straight-line gait and during late-cued vs. pre-planned turns. Also, the lateral distance minima were significantly smaller during turns vs. straight-line gait, and during pre-planned vs. late-cued turns. Our hypotheses about MOSml were partially supported because the MOSml minima patterns were specific to right or left steps and were not significantly different between straight-line gait and pre-planned turns overall, but the right step’s MOSml minima were more negative during late-cued vs. pre-planned turns and between either turn and straight-line gait. Finally, we observed slower gait speeds, fewer footfalls, shorter turn phase duration, and different turn strategies used during late-cued vs. pre-planned turns. Overall, these findings reveal multifaceted control of frontal-plane balance during turns encountered during everyday mobility.

Effects of Elastic Taping and Non-elastic Taping on Static Balance Control Ability, Dynamic Balance Control Ability, and Navicular bone Drop in Young Adults

Effects of Elastic Taping and Non-elastic Taping on Static Balance Control Ability, Dynamic Balance Control Ability, and Navicular bone Drop in Young Adults