Balance control near the limits of stability in young soccer players
Journal Title: Physiotherapy Quarterly - Year 2017, Vol 25, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction. To compare postural performance and strategies in young soccer players between quiet standing and standing close to the limits of stability. Methods. The study included sixteen boys aged 13 years, who have trained soccer for about 5 years. Their body balance was assessed using the Kistler force platform. All participants performed 6 trials, lasting 20 seconds each: three with eyes open and three with eyes closed. The trials included quiet stance, the maximum foreward tilt and maximum backward tilt. Based on the center of pressure (COP) recorded at sampling rate of 100 Hz the following sway parameters were evaluated: variability, range and mean velocity as well frequency, entropy and fractal dimension. Results. In frontal and sagittal plane, the COP variability, range and velocity during stances near the limits of stability were higher than in quiet stance. These increases were independent of the direction of body tilt. Body tilts decreased entropy and frequency in the frontal plane and increased fractality in the sagittal plane regardless the tilting direction. There was also a decrease in fractality in the frontal plane that took place during forward tilt only. Conclusions. Forward and backward tilt deteriorated postural performance in a similar way. However their effects on postural strategies were direction dependent. The strategies in the frontal plane indicated increased investment of attention, lower automaticity and more stable control. In contrast, the sagittal strategies displayed decreased stability with no changes in automaticity. Such inter-plane differences suggest specific allocation of the critical postural tasks in response to the threat of fall. It is plausible that, due to complexity of these reciprocal relationships, testing postural control near to stability limits may better differentiate specific groups and experimental manipulations than testing the limits of stability only.
Authors and Affiliations
Piotr Zając, Michał Kuczyński, Ewa Bieć
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP327153
- DOI 10.5114/pq.2017.74702
- Views 56
- Downloads 0
Use of pessary in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions: a systematic review
Introduction. To describe and evaluate the scientific evidence on the use of pessary in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions. Methods. This systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting...
The effect of karate training on changes in physical fitness in school-age children with normal and abnormal body weight
Introduction. Physical activity is one of the best methods to prevent civilization diseases in modern times. Studies confirm that the appropriate dose reduces the risk of hypertension, heart diseases, cancer, depression,...
Influence of surgical treatment of selected malignant tumours on gait kinematics – a pilot study
Introduction. Assessment of the influence of surgical treatment of selected malignant tumours on gait kinematics. Methods. The study involved 115 patients of the Lower Silesian Oncology Centre in Wroclaw, Poland (95 wome...
Effect of antenatal exercise on mode of delivery in gestational diabetic females: a single-blind randomized controlled trial
Introduction. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is common in pregnancy. Maternal consequences might include an increased rate of caesarean delivery. This study was conducted to determine the effect of an exercise progr...
The level of perceived stress among students of the University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw
Objective of the study: The objective of the study was to examine the level of perceived stress among the final year students in the full-time Master’s programme at the Department of Physiotherapy of the University Schoo...