Sway In Children Research Articles

Vestibular Function and Postural Control in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Background: Postural control deficits have been documented in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet vestibular system contributions to postural control have not been widely considered. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between functional balance, postural sway, and vestibular function in children with ASD. Methods: Ten children with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD according to DSM-V guidelines along with ten children with no known neurodevelopmental or motor delays participated in the study. Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and the Paediatric Balance Scale measured functional balance ability, and postural sway was measured using static posturography with modified sensory inputs. Peripheral vestibular function was measured using cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and video head impulse testing. Correlations between measures were performed. Results: When visual cues were removed, children with ASD demonstrated larger path velocities indicative of reduced postural control, and different patterns of postural sway. Functional balance was correlated with path velocities for conditions where sensory information was modified. No differences in peripheral vestibular function were noted between groups, and functional balance was not correlated with vestibular function. Conclusions: Findings suggest that while peripheral vestibular function is similar between groups, postural control differences in children with ASD remain, particularly for conditions where sensory information is modified. Furthermore, demonstrated patterns of postural sway suggest sensory system integration is less developed in children with ASD. These findings highlight the importance of utilising a range of clinical tools to quantify balance ability and consideration of postural control measures to inform intervention.

Effects of cycling training on balance and gait in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A randomized controlled study

Background and aimsAlthough aerobic exercises such as cycling and swimming are increasingly being recommended in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), their effect on gait and balance parameters is unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of cycling training on balance and spatio-temporal gait parameters in children with DMD. MethodsAmbulant children (age range: 6.17–11.33 years) were randomly divided into two groups: home-based exercise training applied in the control group (n = 12) while 12 weeks of supervised submaximal lower extremity cycling training in addition to home-based exercise training performed in the study group (n = 11). Gait and balance parameters were evaluated using the GAITRite electronic walkway system and the Bertec Balance Check Screener™, respectively. Assessments were applied before and after 12 weeks of training. ResultsThe mean ages of the children in the study and control groups were 8.20 (SD:1.34) and 8.86 (SD:1.30) years, consecutively (p > 0.05). Considering the baseline values, the balance and spatio-temporal gait parameters of the children were similar except for the antero-posterior postural sway on the perturbed surface with eyes open (p > 0.05). There was a significant time x group interaction effect in favor of the study group for the antero-posterior postural sway of children on the normal surface with eyes open (F (1,58) = 12.62, p = 0.002). It was found that the antero-posterior postural sway on the normal surface with eyes open was improved in the study group within group comparison (F (1,10) = 8.50, p = 0.015). ConclusionsThe study showed that both the cycling and the home-based exercise training groups may maintain gait and balance parameters during the study. Adding a cycling training to the rehabilitation program can also provide additional contribution to improve antero-posterior balance.

Why do children with unilateral cerebral palsy struggle with the single leg stance test? A kinematic and centre of pressure analysis

BackgroundChildren with unilateral cerebral palsy often report difficulty with balance in everyday life. The single leg stance test is a challenging task, requiring rapid sensory input and precise motor adjustment. The purpose of this study was to examine how children with cerebral palsy perform this test, compared to typically developing children. MethodsThree-dimensional kinematics of the trunk and lower limbs of 10 children with cerebral palsy and 15 children with typical development were captured as they performed a single leg stance test on their non-dominant leg on a force platform. Stance time, joint kinematics and centre of pressure sway were measured and examined. FindingsThere was evidence of shorter single leg stance performance and increased mediolateral centre of pressure sway in children with cerebral palsy. Coronal plane movement at the subtalar joint and foot was reduced (−6.0° (−10.9, −1.2°)), while proximally there was greater trunk movement in the coronal (13.5° (2.4°, 24.5°)) and transverse planes (9.9° (0.7, 19°)) and pelvis movement in the transverse plane (6.1° (1.7, 10.5°). An association existed between stance time and mediolateral centre of pressure sway (p < 0.01), with an average reduction in stance time of 0.15 s for every 1 mm/s increase in mediolateral sway. InterpretationChildren with cerebral palsy showed poor mediolateral control of centre of pressure sway, leading to shorter stance time. They have a less effective coronal foot-tilt strategy and excessive trunk and pelvis movement. Interventions aimed at improving single leg stance performance should consider addressing both ankle / foot and trunk motor control.

Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Costs on Postural Sway During Sit-to-Stand Movement in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cognitive-motor dual-task costs (DTCs) on postural sway of children with typical development (TD) and children with cerebral palsy (CP) during the sit-to-stand movement. Twenty children with TD (mean age = 9.35 years) and 17 children with CP (mean age = 8.29 years) randomly performed 3 test conditions: simple motor task, low-complexity cognitive-motor dual-task, and high-complexity cognitive-motor dual-task. The sit-to-stand movement was divided into 3 phases for data analysis: preparation (P1), rising (P2), and stabilization (P3). For each of these phases, the DTCs were calculated by the percentage change in the center of pressure area of sway, velocity of sway, and duration variables between the simple and dual-task conditions. Analysis of variance was applied to test the group, task conditions, and interaction effects. Children with CP had lower DTC than children with TD in area of sway in P1 and P2 variables; anteroposterior velocity of sway in P1, P2, and P3; and duration in P3. Children with TD had higher DTC in the high-complexity cognitive-motor dual-task than in the low complexity one. Children with CP did not show adaptations between the dual-task conditions, showing no differences in DTCs. The simultaneous performance of a motor task and a cognitive task seems to affect children with CP and children with TD differently, but the effects depend on the specific demands of each task. These results demonstrate the importance of rehabilitation actions to place demands involving a variety of postural sway strategies. DTCs are different for children with TD and children with CP. Assessment and rehabilitation strategies must take into account the postural sway behavior of these children.

Vojta Therapy Affects Trunk Control and Postural Sway in Children with Central Hypotonia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

(1) Background: Decreased trunk stability is accompanied by delay in motor development in children with central hypotonia. We investigated the effect of Vojta therapy on trunk control in the sitting position in children with central hypotonia. (2) Methods: In 20 children with central hypotonia, Vojta therapy was applied to the experimental group (n = 10) and general physical therapy to the control group (n = 10). The intervention was applied for 30 min per session, three times a week, for a total of six weeks. We assessed abdominal muscle thickness, trunk control (segmental assessment of trunk control), trunk angle and trunk sway in a sitting position, and gross motor function measure-88. (3) Results: In the experimental group, the thicknesses of internal oblique and transversus abdominis were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The segmental assessment of trunk control score was significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the trunk sway significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Gross motor function measure-88 was significantly increased (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Vojta therapy can be suggested as an effective intervention method for improving trunk control and gross motor function in children with central hypotonia.

Immediate and Short-term Effect of Quadriceps Kinesio-Taping on Postural Sway in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Before-After Trial

Background: Kinesio-Tape (KT) is a common method used in rehabilitation, but the KT short-term therapeutic effects on children with cerebral palsy (CP) are unclear yet. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the short-term and immediate effects of KT on postural sway in children with CP. Methods: In this before- and after-study, 27 children aged between 4 and 11 years old with spastic CP were included. Immediate and short-term effects of KT on Quadriceps muscle (QcM) were then assessed using time-up and go test (TUG) and COP (center of pressure) displacement in five assessments. Results: The results of Repeated Measure Analysis show that the short-term use of KT on QcM could reduce COP displacement in both the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions and improve the balance among children with CP (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: The immediate effects of KT on the QcM did not change the COP’s displacement and balance. It was demonstrated that the short-term use of KT in QcM could improve the balance of COP and reduce its displacement.

Impact of 8 Weeks of Kangoo Jump Training on Static And Dynamic Stability and Postural Sway of Autistic Children With High-Level Functional Performance

To investigate the impact of 8 weeks of kangaroo exercise on static and dynamic stability and postural sway of autistic children with high-level functional performance.

Association between the level of attention and dual-task costs on postural sway and cognitive yield in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Postural stability requires attentional resources. Dual-task paradigms are used to investigate the attentional demand of the studied tasks. However, no studies have been conducted on the subjects' level of attention, analyzing its association with dual-task costs (DTC). To evaluate the attentional level and DTC on postural sway and cognitive yield in children, adolescents, and young adults, investigating age-related differences, and to analyze if the participants' attention level is associated with DTC. Postural sway and cognitive-yield of 30 children, 24 adolescents, and 32 young adults were assessed in a dual-task paradigm. We calculated DTC on postural sway and cognitive yield. Attention level was tested using Psychological Battery for Attention Assessment. We tested the association between DTC and attention level. Young adults showed higher DTC on area and velocity of postural sway than children and adolescents. No differences in DTC on cognitive yield were found between the groups. Children showed lower attention levels than adolescents and young adults. Attention level was negatively associated with DTC on cognitive yield in young adults. Focused Attention is responsible for 24.4% of the variance in DTC on cognitive yield. Age impacts DTC on postural stability, but not on cognitive performance. The smaller changes in sway found in children/adolescents when dual-tasking, potentially reflect less developed attentional levels and postural control, which make them performing postural tasks closed to their stability boundaries, and, therefore, make them prioritize stability protection more than adults. Similar DTC on cognition between groups may reflect an equalization of the chosen cognitive task at everyone's difficulty level. The lower attention levels of children may reflect an attentional system in development, with prioritization o postural tasks when dual-tasking to maintain stability. Although attention level increases throughout age, attention only predicted DTC on cognition. Better Focused Attention's levels predicted lower DTC on cognitive yield for young adults.

Occlusal support and postural stability in children: An observational study.

The relationship between uneven occlusal contact and fall risk has been described in elderly participants; however, multiple confounding factors, such as systemic disease or deterioration in vestibular function, have not been well considered. This study aimed to investigate this relationship in pediatric participants at the age of approximately 9-12, where these confounding factors are absent and the replacement of primary molars by permanent ones generally occurs and transiently results in uneven occlusal contact. Sixty-five children (36 boys and 29 girls, mean age: 9.5 ± 1.5years) were enrolled in this study. Participants were asked whether they had experienced at least two falls within the past 1year. The occlusal contact area ratio was calculated by dividing the greater half (right or left dental arch) by the smaller half (the other half) with U-shaped pressure sensor sheet. The total length and rectangular area of the center of pressure while standing upright for 10s were measured with a stabilometer and used as postural sway parameters. The occlusal contact area ratio significantly correlated with the postural sway parameters. Comparison between those who had experienced the fall incidences and those who had not after propensity score matching that adjusts their overall physical function revealed that there were no significant differences in the postural sway parameters and occlusal contact area ratio regardless of the history of fall incidence. Uneven occlusal contact leads to an increase in postural sway in children; however, this may not be associated with fall incidence.

Body-Worn Sensors Are a Valid Alternative to Forceplates for Measuring Balance in Children.

Clinical evaluation of balance has relied on forceplate systems as the gold standard for postural sway measures. Recently, systems based on wireless inertial sensors have been explored, mostly in the adult population, as an alternative given their practicality and lower cost. Our goal was to validate body-worn sensors against forceplate balance measures in typically developing children during tests of quiet stance. 18 participants (8 males) 7 to 17 years old performed a quiet stance test standing on a forceplate while wearing 3 inertial sensors. Three 30-second trials were performed under 4 conditions: firm surface with eyes open and closed, and foam surface with eyes open and closed. Sway area, path length, and sway velocity were calculated. We found 20 significant and 8 non-significant correlations. Variables found to be significant were represented across all conditions, except for the foam eyes closed condition. These results support the validity of wearable sensors in measuring postural sway in children. Inertial sensors may represent a viable alternative to the gold standard forceplate to test static balance in children.

Upper and Lower Limb Strength and Body Posture in Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism: An Observational Case-Control Study.

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is an endocrine disease with a precocious significant impairment of growth and neuromotor development. Thyroid hormones are essential for central nervous system development, maturation, and myelination. Furthermore, thyroid hormone deficiency affects the function of several systems, including the musculoskeletal system. The disease has a significant incidence in the general population (1:3000–1:2000 newborns in Italy). The aim of the present study was to evaluate any differences in upper and lower limb strength, body sway, and plantar loading distribution in children with CH compared to healthy children. Methods: In this study, the case group was composed of children with CH (CHG), while the control group included healthy children (CG). Both groups comprised 19 children (CHG: female = 12; CG: female = 9). The maximum isometric handgrip strength and explosive-elastic lower limb strength were assessed with the handgrip test and the Sargent test, respectively. The stabilometric and baropodometric analyses were used to measure the Center of Pressure displacements and the plantar loading distribution between feet, respectively. The differences between groups were analyzed by a univariate analysis of covariance using as covariates weight and height with the significant level set at < 0.05. Results: We found that CHG children were shorter and thinner than CG ones (p < 0.05). No significant difference in the upper and lower limb strength was found between groups. CHG exhibited a significant greater Sway Path Length (p < 0.01) and Ellipse Surface (p < 0.05) than CG. Moreover, CHG displayed an asymmetric plantar loading distribution with a significant lower percentage in the right than in the left foot (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant lower plantar loading percentage in the right foot of CHG than in the right foot of CG was observed (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings seem to suggest that CH does not affect muscle strength in early treated children. However, these patients show poor postural control ability and asymmetric plantar loading distribution. Increasing the physical activity in these children could improve their body posture.

Visually guided eye movements reduce postural sway in dyslexic children

Dyslexic children present poorer postural control performance than their peers, perhaps due to different patterns of eye movements. It has been shown that guided eye movements decrease magnitude of body sway in young and older adults, but there is no evidence whether the search for visual information that occurs during eye movements affects postural control in dyslexic children. The aim of this study was to examine the use of guided eye movements and its pattern in the performance of postural control of dyslexic children during upright quiet stance. Twelve children with dyslexia (10.8 ± 1.1 years old) and 12 non-dyslexic children (10.4 ± 1.5 years old) participated in this study. All children were instructed to maintain an upright quiet stance for 60 s either fixating on a target (fixation condition) displayed 1 m ahead in the center of a monitor at eye level, or performing eye movements to follow a target displayed on one side of a monitor, then disappearing and reappearing immediately on the opposite side with a frequency of 0.5 Hz (guided condition). Three trials for each condition were registered. Body sway was measured with an IRED (OPTOTRAK) placed on the children’s back. Eye movements were tracked using eye-tracking glasses (ETG 2.0 – SMI). Dyslexic children swayed with larger amplitude under both fixation and guided conditions than non-dyslexic children. Both dyslexic and non-dyslexic children reduced postural sway magnitude under the guided compared to the fixation condition. All children were able to modulate eye movement according to the conditions (fixation and guided) and no difference in eye movements was observed between dyslexic and non-dyslexic children. Eye movements are modulated similarly based upon the visual conditions in dyslexic and non-dyslexic children, and dyslexic children are capable of using available visual information during eye movements to improve postural control, though they do not equal the performance of non-dyslexic children. Eye movement patterns seem not to be related to poor performance of postural control in dyslexic children.

Relationship between body sway and walking parameters in preschool children

Relationship between body sway and walking parameters in preschool children

Effects of virtual reality in body oscillation and motor performance of children with cerebral palsy: A preliminary randomized controlled clinical trial

Background and purposeVirtual reality is an adjuvant technique to rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy (CP). It has been gaining prominence in this field because of its accessibility and great levels of motivation it promotes in treatment. However, there is a lack of studies addressing the effects of virtual reality-based therapy on activity levels regarding postural stability, especially considering the level of evidence presented by studies addressing this issue. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the effects of intervention in body sway and gross motor function of children with CP using an active video game. Materials and methodsIn this blind randomized controlled trial, fifteen children with CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I-II, regularly attending conventional physical therapy programs, were randomly assigned to an intervention (IG:n = 7) or to a control group (CG:n = 8). In both groups, children remained attending conventional therapy. In addition, IG underwent intervention using an active video game twice a week for 45 min and eight weeks. Standing body sway was assessed using a force plate, and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) dimensions D (Standing) and E (Walking, Running and Jumping) were tested. ResultsFollowing the virtual reality-based intervention, the IG only showed significant improvements in the GMFM dimensions D (p = 0.021) and E (p = 0.008). Improvements were clinically significant (D = 10.8%; E = 14.0%). For the CG, no variable analyzed showed differences after eight weeks. ConclusionsIntervention using an active video game is a promising tool that can improve the gross motor function of children with CP, GMFCS I-II.

Dual-task effects on postural sway during sit-to-stand movement in children with Down syndrome.

Cognitive and postural tasks require common cognitive mechanisms, resulting in conflicts when both tasks are simultaneously performed. The presence of neuromotor dysfunctions, such as Down syndrome, may impair coordination processes required to perform dual-tasks. The objective of this study was to investigate the dual-task effects on postural sway during sit-to-stand movements in typical children and children with Down syndrome in a cross-sectional study. Twenty six typical children (10.2±2.4years) and 21 with Down syndrome (10.3±2.3years) performed sit-to-stand in the following conditions: (1) simple task; (2) dual-task bimanual activity (DT-Bim): sit-to-stand while carrying a tray using both hands; (3) dual-task unimanual dominant activity (DT-Uni-Dom): sit-to-stand while holding a plastic cup simulating water using the dominant hand; (4) dual-task unimanual non-dominant activity (DT-Uni-Nondom): sit-to-stand movement while holding a plastic cup simulating water. For data analysis, sit-to-stand was divided into three phases: preparation (phase 1), rising (phase 2), and stabilisation (phase 3). The following variables were calculated for each phase: anterior-posterior and medial-lateral amplitude of centre-of-pressure displacement, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral velocity of centre-of-pressure sway and area of centre-of-pressure sway. Children with Down syndrome showed greater sway than typical children in all sit-to-stand phases. Typical children showed greater anterior-posterior amplitude in phase 2 of sit-to-stand during DT-Uni Nondom compared with DT-Uni Dom. Children with Down syndrome during simple task condition showed greater and faster values sway in phases 2 and 3 of sit-to-stand movement than in DT-Bim activity, DT-Uni Dom activity and DT-Uni Nondom activity. During the condition of DT-Bim activity, these children showed lower anterior-posterior velocity of sway in phase 2 than during DT-Uni Dom activity. Children with Down syndrome showed greater postural sway during sit-to-stand than typical children. The addition of a concurrent motor task to sit-to-stand impacted postural sway in different intensities and in different ways across groups. Dual-tasks increased body sway in typical children in the DT-Uni Nondom condition compared with dominant one. In children with Down syndrome, dual-tasks decreased body sway, apparently resulting in a postural strategy of stiffness.

Finger soaking enhances effects of light touch on reducing body sway in children with developmental coordination disorder.

To compare sensitivity to light touch in children with developmental coordination disorder and those with typical development. Also, to investigate how changes/increases in sensitivity to light touch influence the effects of light fingertip touch on reducing body sway in both groups, while controlling for the confounding effects of arm configuration. Twenty-six children with developmental coordination disorder and 26 typically developing children were enrolled in the study. To change/increase sensitivity to light touch, participants immersed their dominant index finger in a surfactant-water solution. Sensitivity to light touch was measured before and after soaking. Participants performed all conditions (no fingertip touch, light fingertip touch, and light fingertip touch after soaking) with the same arm configuration, while body sway was measured. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the children with developmental coordination disorder were less sensitive to light touch than typically developing children (p <0.05). For both groups, immersing a fingertip in surfactant-water solution increased sensitivity to light touch (p < 0.05). Finger soaking enhanced the effects of light fingertip touch on reducing body sway only in those children with developmental coordination disorder (p < 0.05). Finger soaking can be used as a rehabilitation strategy for promoting sensitivity to light touch, as well as for enhancing the effects of light fingertip touch in reducing body sway in children with developmental coordination disorder.

The validity and reliability of the Swaymeter for postural sway measurement in typically developing children aged between 7–12 years

BackgroundThe Swaymeter is a simple devicefor measuring postural sway. It consists of a 40-cm-long rod with a vertically mounted pen at the end of the rod that measures the displacement of the body at waist level. Research questionThis device could be an effective tool for measuring postural sway in children. However, the validity and reliability of the Swaymeter in children has not been evaluated. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Swaymeter in typically developing children aged 7–12 years. MethodThe Swaymeter procedure was randomly measured in quiet bipedal stance under 4 conditions: eyes open and eyes closed on the floor, eyes open and eyes closed on foam, 30 s were performed in each condition. There were 15 children participated in the validity study. The postural sway was measured concurrently with the motion capture system with two reflective markers on the top of the pen and 12th thoracic vertebra level in three trials with four testing conditions. Additionally, 36 children participated in test-retest reliability. Three measurements were performed on the same day and one week later. ResultsSwaymeter had a moderate to good correlation with motion capture system (r = 0.637–0.979). The test-retest reliability of the Swaymeter showed moderate to good reliability for immediate test-retest (ICC = 0.51–0.87). However, inter-session reliability revealed moderate to good reliability except for the AP variable that showed low reliability. Good to excellent reliability was found in sway area variable (ICCs between 0.74 and 0.92) for all measurements. SignificancePostural sway measure by Swaymeter was valid and reliable in typically developing children aged 7–12 years and suitable for applying to assess postural sway in typically developing children.

Eye movement and postural sway in dyslexic children during sitting and standing

In this study, we investigated the eye movement and postural control performance in dyslexic children while reading text and performing Landolt reading when sitting and standing. Fifteen dyslexic and 15 non-dyslexic children were asked to sit in a chair while the eye movements were recorded, and were then asked to stand on an unstable platform while eye movements and postural sway were recorded simultaneously at the time of Landolt reading and text reading. Eye movements were recorded binocularly by Mobile EyeBrain Tracker (MobileT2®, SuriCog) and center of pressure excursions were recorded by Multitest Equilibre (by Framiral®). The dependent variables for visual performance in the reading tasks were: total reading time, mean duration of fixation, number of pro- and retro-saccades, and amplitude of pro-saccades. The dependent variable for postural performance was the center of pressure area. The results showed that dyslexic children spent more time reading the text compared to non-dyslexic children (p < 0.02). However, no difference was observed for the Landolt reading task (p > 0.05). Dyslexic children performed longer fixations in the sitting condition as compared to the standing (p < 0.03), namely, higher number of pro- (p < 0.001) and retro- saccades (p < 0.001), and smaller pro-saccades amplitude (p < 0.001). Therefore, when the linguistic and semantic requirements are not involved in the reading task, dyslexic children perform similar to non-dyslexic children even in different task requirements (p > 0.05). Finally, postural performance was poorer in dyslexic children than in non-dyslexic children in both the reading tasks (p < 0.02). However, postural control performance, which was poor in dyslexic children, is not related to lexical and semantic reading requirements.

The relationship between trunk control and upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy.

Trunk control ability greatly influences functional movement of the upper limbs. Our primary aims were to assess trunk control ability, sway, and upper limb functions in children with cerebral palsy (CP), and to investigate the relationship between trunk control ability and upper limb function. We included 15 children (8 boys and 7 girls) with CP. We used the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) to evaluate trunk control ability and sway. We employed the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT), the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST), the Box and Blocks Test (BBT), and the ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire to explore upper limb function and arm movement acceleration. We calculated correlations between trunk control ability and parameters of upper limb function. TCMS scores correlated positively with the QUEST, BBT, and ABILHAND-Kids data, but negatively with the JTHFT findings. Anteroposterior acceleration correlated positively with JTHFT data, but negatively with QUEST, BBT, and ABILHAND-Kids data. Mediolateral acceleration correlated positively with the JTHFT outcomes, but negatively with those of QUEST, BBT, and ABILHAND-Kids. Upper limb function test data exhibited moderate to strong correlations with trunk control ability, as measured via the TCMS and triaxial accelerometry, in children with CP. Our results suggest that trunk control ability should be assessed when evaluating upper limb function in such children.

Altering Visual Feedback Conditions Impacts Postural Sway Performance in Children After Controlling for Body Mass Index and Habitual Physical Activity

This study examined postural sway in children in eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions, controlling for body mass index (BMI) and physical activity (PA). Sixty two children (aged 8–11years) underwent sway assessment using computerized posturography from which 95% ellipse sway area, anterior/posterior (AP) sway, medial/lateral (ML) sway displacement and sway velocity were assessed. Six trials were performed alternatively in EO and EC. BMI (kg/m2) was determined from height and mass. PA was determined using sealed pedometry. AP amplitude (p = .038), ML amplitude (p = .001), 95% ellipse (p = .0001), and sway velocity (p = .012) were higher in EC compared with EO conditions. BMI and PA were not significant as covariates. None of the sway variables were significantly related to PA. However, sway velocity during EO (p = .0001) and EC (p = .0001) was significantly related to BMI. These results indicate that sway is poorer when vision is removed, that BMI influences sway velocity, but that pedometer-assessed PA was not associated with postural sway.