The effect of walking training on a treadmill with open and closed eyes on body composition, muscle strength, proprioception and balance in overweight male

Obesity and overweight resulting from modern lifestyle cause physical, motor and even cognitive-cognitive problems. Thus, the aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of four week walking training on a treadmill with open and closed eyes on body composition, muscle strength, proprioception and balance in overweight male.

In this experimental study, 30 students overweight male in a randomly design were allocated in three equal groups: walking training on a treadmill with opened eyes (EO), and walking training on a treadmill with closed eyes (EC) and control. Then, the subjects participated in a four week training protocol (three sessions per week). All subjects participated for 20 minutes in the walking exercise on a treadmill with a desired speed and, slope 10 percent. Indicators assessments (proprioception, balance, weight, muscle mass, fat percentage and lower body strength.) were performed 24 hours pre and post intervention. Covariance test were used to determine the changes in stages. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 18. The significance level was considered at less than 0.05.

A significant increase in proprioception and balance were observed after walking training on a treadmill with open and closed eyes. Also, four week walking training on a treadmill with open and closed eyes significantly reduced weight and fat percentage and significantly increased muscle strength of lower body.

Based on the present results, it can be concluded that the walking training on a treadmill through improving of proprioception and lower body muscle strength would be increased body balance in overweight individuals.