postural balance

Women’s soccer and preventive training strategies have gained popularity in the last decade; accordingly, this study determines the effectiveness of a dynamic balance exercise protocol in amateur soccer players.

A total of 24 females participated in this study and were randomly assigned to a control (n=12) and an experimental group (n=12). The experimental group received a dynamic balance exercise intervention with three weekly sessions for six weeks, while the control group maintained regular training. Balance was assessed before and after by the Y balance test in its anterior, posterior medial, and posterior lateral directions. The data were analyzed through the t-test for independent and related samples.

The analysis of this study shows significant improvements in dynamic balance (P=0.000) in the experimental group after the intervention of the dynamic balance exercise program for six weeks, while in the control group, there were no significant improvements.

Dynamic balance exercise programs can be used to increase the balance of amateur female soccer players.

Vision plays a crucial role in human movement and posture control. Impaired vision can lead to significant challenges in maintaining balance and postural stability among visually impaired individuals. Various approaches have been explored to address these challenges.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of an eight-week Pilates program on posture control, fall risk, and proprioception of the knee and ankle joints in non-athlete, visually impaired female students.

A total of 22 visually impaired, non-athlete female students from Tehran voluntarily participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 12) or a control group (n = 10). The experimental group completed an eight-week Pilates program (three one-hour sessions per week), while the control group maintained their regular daily activities. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included posture control and fall risk, measured using the Biodex Stability System, as well as proprioception (position sense and kinesthesia) of the knee and ankle joints, measured with a Biodex Dynamometer. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA.

The Pilates intervention significantly improved knee position sense at 20° and 45° (P ≤ 0.05), although no significant changes were observed at 60° (P > 0.05). A significant improvement was also noted in knee kinesthesia between the two groups (P ≤ 0.05). However, no significant differences were found in the ankle position sense during dorsiflexion or plantarflexion (P > 0.05). Regarding posture control, significant improvements were observed in overall balance and anteroposterior balance in the Pilates group compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.05), while no significant differences were noted in mediolateral balance (P > 0.05). The fall risk index also showed significant improvements in the Pilates group (P ≤ 0.05).

The eight-week Pilates program positively affected posture control, reduced fall risk, and improved knee proprioception in visually impaired female students. These findings suggest that Pilates could be an effective addition to exercise programs aimed at enhancing functional performance and reducing injury risk in visually impaired individuals.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelop-mental disorder. According to the DSM-V, this condition has a variety of symptoms including impaired social relationships, and behavioral disorders. Various studies have shown that these children also have balance problems that are rarely investigated in this population. The purpose was to investigate the effect of single- and dual-task exercises on the functional balance of these children.

The study design was a clinical trial research. The participants were 40 children with ASD (9 to 14 years) who were randomly divided into two groups. The single-task exercise group only performed balance exercises, while the dual-task exercises group performed both balance exercises and cognitive tasks at the same time. The sessions consisted of 45-minute sessions (3 times a week for 4 weeks). The functional balance tests were performed before and after the intervention.

There were no significant differences between two groups in the Timed Up and Go test, 10-meter walk test and Mini-BESTest endpoint of the study, but there was a significant difference in Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (p=0.01, effect size=0.82). Dual-task exercises could not cause significant improvements in the functional balance of the participants compared to the single-task group. 

It seems that evidence that dual-task exercises cause significant improvements of functional balance of the participants compared to the single-task group is inconclusive.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of physical exercise and exergame interventions on the psychomotor aspects of armed forces personnel diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A quasi-experimental research design with pre-test and post-test measurements, including a control group, was employed. A total of 60 male members of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran diagnosed with PTSD were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to one of three groups: Pilates training, exergame intervention, and control, with 20 participants in each group. The experimental groups participated in 24 sessions of intervention (three one-hour sessions per week), while the control group continued with their usual daily routines and treatment plans. Data collection involved administering the Berg Functional Balance Scale, the Tandem Gait Motor Coordination Test, and the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire during both the pre-test and post-test phases. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance and Bonferroni's post hoc test via SPSS 25 software, with a significance level of 0.05 applied throughout.

Both exercise and exergame interventions significantly improved psychomotor components in participants. Pilates training demonstrated superior efficacy compared to exergames in enhancing quality of life and motor coordination, while no significant differences in functional balance were observed between the two experimental groups.

Physical exercise, including Pilates and virtual reality-based exergames, effectively enhances psychomotor skills in military personnel with PTSD, with Pilates yielding greater benefits in certain areas.

Preventing falls among the elderly is a significant public health priority in aging populations. This study examined the impact of an eight-week square stepping exercise program on fall risk in elderly men.

In this randomized clinical trial, 30 elderly men aged 60-75 were recruited from senior day care centers in Tehran and randomly assigned to either a square stepping exercise group or a control group. Fall risk was measured using the Biodex Balance System and Fall Risk Test at levels 10 to 12. The exercise group participated in a structured square stepping exercise regimen three times per week, with each session lasting 60 minutes, over an eight-week period. The control group continued their usual daily routines. Fall risk was reassessed after the intervention, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare pre- and post-intervention results between groups.

After verifying the ANCOVA assumptions, results indicated a significant group effect in the post-test, with a substantial reduction in fall risk in the exercise group (2.35±1.15) compared to the control group (4.85±1.70; p=0.001) following the eight-week intervention.

Square stepping exercises provide a straightforward, effective, and affordable option for reducing fall risk among elderly individuals, supporting its potential as a practical home-based intervention.

Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG) is a tool helping better understand the electrical activity of the brain and a non-invasive method to assess cortical activity. To date, the brain activity of patients with chronic patellofemoral pain (PFP) has not been investigated. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of PFP on higher levels of the central nervous system by assessing the correlation between QEEG and modified excursion balance test (mSEBT) in patients with PFP. Twenty-two patients with chronic PFP participated in this observational study. Their cortical electrical activity was recorded in a resting state with their eyes open, via a 32-channel QEEG. C3, C4, and Cz were considered as regions of interest. In addition to QEEG, the balance performance of the participants was evaluated via mSEBT. The obtained findings revealed a negative and moderate to high correlation between theta absolute power and posteromedial direction of mSEBT in C4 (P: 0.000, r: -0.68), Cz (P: 0.001, r: -0.66), and C3 (P 0.000, r: -0.70). Additionally, a significantly close correlation is between alpha absolute power in C3 (P: 0.001, r: -0.70), C4 (P: 0.000, r: -0.71), and Cz (P: 0.000, r: -0.74) and the posteromedial direction of mSEBT. No significant correlations were between the other two directions of mSEBT, alpha, and theta.  According to our results, balance impairment in patients with chronic PFP correlated with their QEEG neurodynamics. Moreover, our findings demonstrated the efficiency of QEEG as a neuromodulation method for patients with PFP.

Various balance exercises have been employed to enhance functional stability and balance in individuals who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction; however, no study has explored the use of dual-task balance exercises for these patients. This study compares the effects of dual motor task balance exercises and single-task exercises on the static balance indices of individuals with ACL reconstruction.

In a single-blind randomized controlled trial, 27 subjects who had undergone ACL reconstruction were randomly divided into two groups: Dual-task and single-task balance exercises. Both groups performed their exercises three days a week for one month. Static balance indicators were assessed at the beginning and end of the treatment.

The results demonstrated that after the treatment, there was a statistically significant decrease in various center of pressure variables, including mean displacement in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions, total path length, mean velocity of displacement, root mean square of displacement, and velocity. Furthermore, the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score significantly increased in both groups (P<0.05). However, when comparing the two groups, no significant difference was observed after the treatment (P>0.05).

Dual-task and single-task motor exercises improve static stability and knee function levels in patients who have undergone ACL reconstruction. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of these exercise types does not significantly differ from each other.

 Ankle sprains are common musculoskeletal injuries in sports and physical activities, often leading to balance impairments. The research investigated the impact of combined fibular repositioning taping (FRT) and facilitatory fibularis longus taping on postural balance and proprioception of the ankle joint in individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI).The double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Rehabilitation Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS). A total of 40 patients aged between 18 and 50 were randomly allocated to either the intervention or placebo group. In the intervention group, participants received a combined FRT and facilitatory fibularis longus taping. In contrast, participants in the placebo group received an adhesive gauze from the medial malleolus to the midpoint of the tibia. Static and dynamic postural stability and stability limits were evaluated using the Biodex Balance SD system. Proprioception of the ankle joint was assessed using the active ankle joint repositioning test with a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Data within each group were compared before and immediately after taping and 48 hours after taping. The comparison of static postural stability before and immediately after the taping application revealed a significant decrease within groups (P = 0.01). Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference between groups before and 48 hours after taping (P = 0.002). A significant difference was observed between groups immediately after taping (P = 0.03) for dynamic postural stability at the double leg stance position. In contrast, no significant difference was found between groups 48 hours after taping (P = 0.05).The results suggest that combined FRT and facilitatory fibularis longus taping could enhance static and dynamic postural stability in individuals with CAI.

Shin splints are a common injury in the world of sports, causing pain along the inner edge of the tibial and impacting an athlete’s performance and well-being. The study aims to examine how kinesio taping application affects pain, postural control, and plantar pressure parameters in athletes with shin splints.

A placebo-controlled trial design was used, with 32 athletes with shin splints randomly assigned to either the kinesio taping group (KT=16) or the placebo group (PC=16). The KT group received kinesio tape with 75% tension applied to the affected shin, while the PC group received the same application without tension. Before and after the taping intervention, pain levels, postural control, and plantar pressure parameters were evaluated.

Results indicated that the KT group experienced a significant pain reduction and improved postural control and plantar pressure parameters compared to the PC group. 

These results suggest that kinesio tape can relieve pain in the short term and enhance postural control and plantar pressure distribution in athletes with shin splints. Further research is necessary to explore the long-term effects and underlying mechanisms.

 The prevalence of obesity among older individuals has significantly increased in recent years, potentially doubling the risk of postural imbalance and falls. Controlled whole-body vibration (CWBV) training is considered an alternative/complementary therapy for fall prevention, but its mechanisms still require further investigation.

 This study aimed to investigate the effects of CWBV on balance and fall risk among older adult women with obesity.

 Fifteen adult women over the age of 60 (mean age 68.55 ± 4.86, BMI: 30.57 ± 2.97) participated in this quasi-experimental study. They underwent CWBV training three times weekly for six weeks. Gait stability and balance were assessed using a gait analysis system before and after the intervention.

 The results indicated a significant decrease in both static and dynamic balance parameters, except for the variability of velocity index (P = 0.9) and fear of falling (FES-I score, P = 0.56), after the intervention.

 CWBV training appears to be an effective method for improving static and dynamic balance parameters in older adult women. However, further research is necessary to explore different dosages and protocols of vibration training, incorporating more challenging/specialized proprioceptive exercises to potentially improve the fear of falling in this population.

This study aimed to assess the impact of a corrective exercise program on the balance and performance of female volleyball players with knee dynamic valgus defects.
This study employed a semi-experimental design in the field of sports. the study's target population comprised female volleyball players in East Azarbaijan with knee dynamic valgus defects. From this population, 30 subjects were selected and randomly divided into control and experiment groups, following the completion of personal profiles and screening for knee dynamic valgus defects using a squat test. The study measured static and dynamic balance through the Balance Error Score System (BESS) and Y balance tests for lower limb assessment and upper extremity function through the Y functional test for upper extremities in both groups. The experimental group underwent a 10-session program of corrective exercises, while the control group continued with their regular volleyball exercises. After the training period, both groups underwent a post-test. The data's normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. The effect of the corrective exercise program on the research's dependent variables was analyzed through covariance analysis and dependent t-tests, with a confidence level set at P ≤ 0.05.
The results showed a positive impact of corrective exercises on static and dynamic balance (P = 0.001) and upper extremity function (P = 0.001) in volleyball players with dynamic knee valgus defects.
The study results demonstrate that the corrective exercise program, following the National Academy of Sports Medicine approach, significantly reduces knee dynamic valgus, improves balance, and enhances upper extremity function in young female volleyball players.

Obesity is a major public health concern. Since the prevalence of obesity is increasing, exploring the impacts of obesity on the developing musculoskeletal system is important. The aim of this study was to compare postural balance, muscle force, and spinal posture between children and adolescents with and without obesity.

This is a case-control study on 90 children and adolescents with and without obesity (N=45 in each group). Outcome measures will be postural balance, muscle force, and spinal posture. These outcome measures will be compared between groups.

Evaluation of HbA1c level based on the presence or absence of anemia showed that in diabetic group with anemia significantly had a lower level 8.4 (± 1.5) than people without anemia 8.6 (± 1.5) (P= 0.045).

The findings can determine the importance of assessing musculoskeletal health in children and adolescents with obesity.

Individual qualities of posture control are crucial to success in many modern complex coordination sports disciplines. The data of the stabilometric test allows you to effectively monitor violations of the statokinetic stability appropriate adjustments to the individual training system.

The purpose of the study is to identify the relationship between the indicators of the statokinetic stability of athletes and their results.

The jumpers were divided into two groups, the participants of one group had personal achievements in the pole vault from 3.20 to 4.20 meters, and the participants of the second group from 4.60 to 6.00 meters. Postural control was evaluated using the stabilographic hardware and software complex MBN "Stabilo" (Russia).

In our study, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. However, we can observe a shift in the general center of pressure with the growth of sportsmanship in the frontal plane Х (to the right) and the sagittal plane Y (forward) with open and closed eyes.

The analysis of the indicators of statokinetic stability in athletes of various skill levels specializing in pole vaulting confirms that the speed of the general center of pressure of athletes of higher qualification is lower in all the positions considered, which indicates a better ability to maintain their postural stability and a more developed proprioceptive analyzer. In this study, we did not identify critical pathologies, and the results were within the normal range for healthy people.