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Results for “Balance ability”

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PubMed1996

[Mobile elements of the Drosophila genome as a marker of crossing over in isogenic crosses with a balancer strain].

The ability of the Cy/Pm; D/Sb balancer strain to inhibit crossing over in isogenic crosses was studied. Regions of interchromosomal exchange were detected within and outside the inverted regions with the help of the MDG1, Dm412, copia, and B104 mobile elements. Certification of mobile element distribution patterns in balancer strains was proposed. Crossing over was suggested as a possible reason for the polymorphism of daughter strains and as useful for estimating frequency of transposition of mobile elements in similar interstrain crosses.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Standing balance and functional recovery of patients with right and left hemiparesis in the early stages of rehabilitation.

The objective was to determine the effects of the side of brain lesion on recovery of functional abilities and balance control among subjects 2 months following a stroke. There were 104 patients admitted consecutively to a geriatric rehabilitation center following their first stroke to the anterior brain circulation who were followed for 2 months. Fifteen age-matched individuals with no known impairments served as the control group. Functional ability was assessed with the Barthel Index and the Functional Ambulation Category. Posturographic testing was used to determine total sway and symmetry of weight distribution with eyes open and closed. Tests were performed 1 and 2 months poststroke. The results show that lesion side affects the recovery of independent stance 2 months following a stroke, with more patients with right hemiparesis able to reach this milestone. However, no difference was found in functional ability and balance control between patients with left and right hemiparesis who are able to stand independently by 1 month poststroke. Function and mobility improve during the 2nd month of rehabilitation (P = 0.001), but stance unsteadiness and asymmetry do not. The side of brain lesion seems to affect recovery of independent stance with an advantage to patients with right hemiparesis. However, there is no difference between balance control of individuals with left versus right hemiparesis in patients who reach independent stance by the end of the 1st month following their stroke.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1997

Effects of a 6-week strength and proprioception training program on measures of dynamic balance: a single-case design.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a 6-week strength and proprioception training program on clinical measures of balance, and to introduce characteristics of a single-case research design that may be beneficial to the athletic training profession as both a research and a clinical tool. DESIGN AND SETTING: A multiple baseline design across subjects was used to assess the effects of the intervention. The training program was performed three times a week and consisted of manual muscle strengthening and proprioception training for the plantar flexor, dorsiflexor, inversion, and eversion muscle groups. SUBJECTS: Three subjects (age = 17.6 +/- 1.24 yr, wt = 78.6 +/- 1.07 kg, ht = 186.2 +/- 4.3 cm) who had previously sustained first-degree lateral ankle sprains. MEASUREMENTS: Dynamic balance was tested three times a week using a single-plane balance board (SPBB). Each subject was tested for two double-leg conditions (forward/backward, right/left) and one single-leg condition (forward/backward) for each extremity. The dependent variable was the number of times that the balance board made contact with the floor. Visual inspection was used to evaluate whether the treatment resulted in a change of performance. RESULTS: Although the intervention did not produce obvious improvements in balance for all evaluation criteria for all testing conditions, it is apparent that the strength and proprioception training program positively influenced all three subjects' ability to balance dynamically on an SPBB. A change in mean scores from baseline to intervention phase was evident for all testing conditions. However, a change in slope and level was not as apparent for all testing conditions, especially the single-leg conditions. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that the strength and proprioception training program produced improvements in the ability to balance as assessed dynamically on an SPBB.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Exploring the comparability of the Sensory Organization Test and the Pediatric Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction for Balance in children.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and the Pediatric Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction for Balance (PCTSIB) quantify the ability to maintain balance in the presence of sensory conflicts. The purposes were to explore the concurrent validity of these two assessments by comparing the performance of healthy children on the tests and examine the relationship between age and assessment performances thereby exploring the construct validity of the measures. SUBJECTS: Sixteen healthy children (9.8 +/- 3.5 yr.). METHODS: Children were assessed with both tools during a single session. RESULTS: Only three conditions of the SOT were related to the corresponding PCTSIB conditions: eyes closed in tandem and single leg stance (SLS), and altered vision in SLS. None of the conditions involving altered support surfaces were related. All SOT conditions and four PCTSIB conditions in SLS, were significantly related to age as well as one condition in tandem. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although both tests are associated with age, they do not measure sensory organization abilities in the same manner. As such, they each provide different and complementary information about healthy children's ability to maintain balance.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

The duration and plantar pressure distribution during one-leg stance in Tai Chi exercise.

BACKGROUND: Tai Chi exercise improved the balance control and muscle strength of the lower extremities. The aim of this study is to quantify the one-leg stance duration and plantar pressure distribution during the one-leg stance in Tai Chi and to try to elaborate on its probable effects on the ability to balance on one leg. METHODS: Sixteen experienced Tai Chi practitioners participated in this study. The Novel Pedar-X insole system was used to record the plantar forces during the execution of a set of 42-form Tai Chi movements and during normal walking. The one-leg stance duration and plantar pressure distribution during the one-leg stance were analyzed. FINDINGS: In Tai Chi exercise, the total duration spent in the one-leg stance was less (p<0.05), the duration of each one-leg stance was longer (p<0.01) and the medial-lateral displacement of the centre of pressure was greater (p<0.05) than during normal walking. The peak pressure and pressure-time integral of the second and third metatarsal heads and the fourth and fifth metatarsal heads were significantly greater (p<0.05) than those of other plantar regions during the one-leg stance in normal walking, whereas the peak pressure and pressure-time integral of the first metatarsal head and the great toe were significantly greater (p<0.05) than those of other plantar regions during the one-leg stance in Tai Chi exercise. INTERPRETATION: The longer duration of each one-leg stance and the plantar pressure distribution characteristics during the one-leg stance in Tai Chi exercise may be associated with an improved ability to balance on one leg. The findings may provide useful information toward the development of strengthening programs, strategies for the prevention of falls, and the promotion of a physically active lifestyle.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Determinants of balance confidence in community-dwelling elderly people.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The fear of falling can have detrimental effects on physical function in the elderly population, but the relationship between a persons' confidence in the ability to maintain balance and actual balance ability and functional mobility is not known. The extent to which balance confidence can be explained by balance performance, functional mobility, and sociodemographic, psychosocial, and health-related factors was the focus of this study. SUBJECTS: The subjects were 50 community-dwelling elderly people, aged 65 to 95 years (mean=81.7, SD=6.7). METHODS: Balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale. Functional mobility was measured using the Timed Up Go Test. The Activities-specific Balance Scale was used to assess balance confidence. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, multiple regression analysis, and t tests. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of the variance in balance confidence could be explained by balance performance. Functional mobility and subject characteristics examined in this study did not contribute to balance confidence. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Balance performance alone is a strong determinant of balance confidence in community-dwelling elderly people.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed2006

High-intensity functional exercise program and protein-enriched energy supplement for older persons dependent in activities of daily living: a randomised controlled trial.

The aims of this randomised controlled trial were to determine if a high-intensity functional exercise program improves balance, gait ability, and lower-limb strength in older persons dependent in activities of daily living and if an intake of protein-enriched energy supplement immediately after the exercises increases the effects of the training. One hundred and ninety-one older persons dependent in activities of daily living, living in residential care facilities, and with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ? 10 participated. They were randomised to a high-intensity functional exercise program or a control activity, which included 29 sessions over 3 months, as well as to protein-enriched energy supplement or placebo. Berg Balance Scale, self-paced and maximum gait speed, and one-repetition maximum in lower-limb strength were followed-up at three and six months and analysed by 2 x 2 factorial ANCOVA, using the intention-to-treat principle. At three months, the exercise group had improved significantly in self-paced gait speed compared with the control group (mean difference 0.04 m/s, p = 0.02). At six months, there were significant improvements favouring the exercise group for Berg Balance Scale (1.9 points, p = 0.05), self-paced gait speed (0.05 m/s, p = 0.009), and lower-limb strength (10.8 kg, p = 0.03). No interaction effects were seen between the exercise and nutrition interventions. In conclusion, a high-intensity functional exercise program has positive long-term effects in balance, gait ability, and lower-limb strength for older persons dependent in activities of daily living. An intake of protein-enriched energy supplement immediately after the exercises does not appear to increase the effects of the training.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1997

Task-related training improves performance of seated reaching tasks after stroke. A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: After stroke, the ability to balance in sitting is critical to independence. Although impairments in sitting balance are common, little is known about the effectiveness of rehabilitation strategies designed to improve it. The purpose of this randomized placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the effect of a 2-week task-related training program aimed at increasing distance reached and the contribution of the affected lower leg to support and balance. METHODS: Twenty subjects at least 1 year after stroke were randomized into an experimental or control group. The experimental group participated in a standardized training program involving practice of reaching beyond arm's length. The control group received sham training involving completion of cognitive-manipulative tasks within arm's length. Performance of reaching in sitting was measured before and after training using electromyography, videotaping, and two force plates. Variables tested were movement time, distance reached, vertical ground reaction forces through the feet, and muscle activity. Subjects were also tested on sit-to-stand, walking, and cognitive tasks. Nineteen subjects completed the study. RESULTS: After training, experimental subjects were able to reach faster and further, increase load through the affected foot, and increase activation of affected leg muscles compared with the control group (P < .01). The experimental group also improved in sit-to-stand. The control group did not improve in reaching or sit-to-stand. Neither group improved in walking. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides strong evidence of the efficacy of task-related motor training in improving the ability to balance during seated reaching activities after stroke.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Paraplegic standing supported by FES-controlled ankle stiffness.

The objective of this paper was to investigate whether a paraplegic subject is able to maintain balance during standing by means of voluntary and reflex activity of the upper body while being supported by closed loop controlled ankle stiffness using FES. The knees and hips of the subject were held in extended positions by a mechanical apparatus, which restricted movement to the sagittal plane. The subject underwent several training sessions where the appropriate level of stiffness around the ankles was maintained by the mechanical apparatus. This enabled the subject to learn how to use the upper body for balancing. After the subject gained adequate skills closed-loop FES was employed to regulate ankle stiffness, replacing the stiffness provided by the apparatus. A method to control antagonist muscle moment was implemented. In subsequent standing sessions, the subject had no difficulties in maintaining balance. When the FES support was withheld, the ability to balance was lost.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

Selection of talented female gymnasts, aged 8 to 11, on the basis of motor abilities with special reference to balance: a retrospective study.

Our aim is to propose a selection procedure on the basis of motor abilities. Within this scope, we have particularly studied balance as one of the selection criteria for young female gymnasts. We have used the combination of two standardized tests: the beam-walking test and the stork-standing test. Four groups of young females (aged 8 to 11 years) were tested. The results indicate that the talented group (n = 23, those participating in national training) has better balance in comparison to the control group (n = 37), gymnasts only participating at club level) and the average group (n = 32, girls not taking part in gymnastics). The results are independent of age, height, and weight, which justify the conclusion that balance is stabilized before the age of 8 years. The fourth group (n = 192) are girls who took part in the selection procedure in 1979 and 1980. We divided this group in 1981 into a non-selected group (n = 121), a discharged, selected young talented group (n = 42), a selected young talented group (n = 16), and an older talented group (n = 13). We discuss the results of these groups at the time of the selection procedure. The two talented groups show better results on the balance tests than the discharged, selected group and the non-selected group. There is no relationship to the results of the total selection test. The results indicate that these tests can be used as one of the selection criteria within the selection procedure for young female gymnasts.

Anthropometry↗

PubMed1991

Neuropsychological factors in individuals at high risk for alcoholism.

It has been postulated that deficits in certain areas of cognitive functioning among children of alcoholics may contribute to their increased risk for developing alcoholism and other substance abuse disorders. In this chapter, the recent evidence for this hypothesis is critically reviewed. Studies citing differences in cognitive functioning between persons at high risk versus those at low risk for alcoholism are presented as well as those studies that have failed to demonstrate differences in cognitive abilities. On balance, the evidence in support of variations in cognitive abilities at risk factors for the development of alcoholism is not strong. The equivocal nature of the literature may be due to a variety of issues related to the design of studies examining risk factors for alcoholism, to the variability of definitions of family history positive used, to the failure to adequately control potentially confounding subject variables, and to the improper analysis of data. Recommendations are made for future studies examining neuropsychological functioning in "at risk" samples.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Postural balance and self-reported functional ability in 75-year-old men and women: a cross-national comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To study postural balance in relation to self-reported functional ability (mobility and ADL) and general physical activity in elderly men and women living in three different Nordic environments. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 448 men and 556 women from among the 75-year-old residents in Glostrup, Denmark, and Göteborg, Sweden, and all the residents of relevant age (127 men and 261 women) in Jyväskylä, Finland. MEASUREMENTS: Assessment of postural balance with eyes open and closed using a piezoelectric force platform. A structured interview on self-reported functional ability and physical activity. An in-laboratory medical examination. RESULTS: In spite of some differences in balance between the groups studied (better results in women compared with men and, to some extent, better results in the participants from Denmark and Finland than in those from Sweden), the performance in the balance tests was similarly associated with functional ability within all groups. The subjects reporting no need of help in performing the ADL and mobility functions performed significantly better in the balance tests. These differences were seen more clearly in the control of anteroposterior movement of center of forces than in the mediolateral direction. The performance in the balance tests was also significantly better among the subjects reporting a higher level of general physical activity than in their less active counterparts. Physical activity and than in their less active counterparts. Physical activity and certain long standing illnesses modified significantly the relationship between postural balance and ADL-performance. When these factors were analyzed simultaneously, the role of balance as a predictor of ADL-performance largely disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that good balance is one of the prerequisites of performance without difficulty in mobility and ADL functions. Physical exercise may help to maintain balancing abilities in old age; good balance, in turn, may also enable a physically active way of life. The associations of balance with functional ability and physical activity were independent of sex and locality. The results also support the validity of static stabilometry as a tool for evaluating threats to functional limitations in older subjects.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

Effects of postural disturbances with fatigued triceps surae muscles or with 20% additional body weight.

One of the main issues for balance control is the ability to generate enough forces to execute motions and uphold stability. This study aimed to investigate whether induced fatigue of the triceps surae muscles and decreased muscle force due to temporary additional body weight affected the ability to withstand balance perturbations. Another aim was to examine whether postural control adaptation over time was able to compensate for the changes induced by fatigue and additional body weight. Eleven normal subjects were exposed to vibratory proprioceptive stimulation during three test conditions; a baseline test during normal condition; when the body weight was increased by 20%, by adding additional weight load; and when the triceps surae muscles were fatigued. The tests were performed both with eyes open and closed. The body movements were evaluated by analyzing the anteroposterior and lateral torques induced towards the supporting surface measured with a force platform. Postural control was substantially affected both by the additional body weight, and by muscle fatigue in the triceps surae muscles. The anteroposterior and lateral body sway were larger both with added weight and fatigued muscles compared with the baseline test during quiet stance. However, the body sway induced by the vibratory stimulation was significantly larger with additional body weight compared with when the triceps surae muscles were fatigued. The differences between the test conditions were mostly pronounced during tests with eyes closed and in the high frequency body sway (>0.1 Hz). Postural control adaptation was able to reduce but not fully compensate for the changes induced by fatigue and additional body weight. Several hypotheses could account for these observations. (1) Fatigued muscles are less sensitive to muscle vibration, (2) muscle fatigue alters the muscle contractile efficiency and thus alters the ability to produce high-frequency, short-latency responses to balance perturbations.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Effect of painful keratoses debridement on foot pain, balance and function in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Painful feet in older people can detrimentally affect balance and are a risk factor for falls. Pain is often associated with plantar hyperkeratoses, which are easily treated by podiatrists. Currently, there is no data defining the effect this treatment has on balance or functional ability. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of scalpel debridement of painful plantar hyperkeratoses on pain, balance and functional ability in older people aged 65 years and over. SUBJECTS: Nineteen men and women aged 65-84 years (mean age 72, standard deviation 5.6). METHODS: Pain resulting from plantar hyperkeratoses was measured using a visual analogue scale. Static balance and functional ability were measured using tests of postural sway, co-ordinated stability and timed walking and stepping tests. Painful plantar hyperkeratoses were debrided with a scalpel then all tests were repeated, immediately and 7 days later. RESULTS: Following scalpel debridement, pain levels (sensory and afferent) were significantly reduced (P<0.0001) and functional ability was significantly increased (P<0.0001). There was no change in static balance ability. One week after debridement the improved performance in functional ability tests was maintained. CONCLUSIONS: Debridement of painful plantar hyperkeratoses reduces pain and improves functional ability in older people. Its effect on static balance was inconclusive.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

The influence of early cycling training on balance in stroke patients at the subacute stage. Results of a preliminary trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of early cycling training on balance and motor abilities of stroke patients in their subacute stage. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation. SUBJECTS: Twenty-four patients who had had a first stroke were randomly assigned to a cycling training group (N=10) or to a control (N=14) group. INTERVENTION: All subjects received their usual rehabilitation programme; the cycling training group received in addition a daily session of leg cycle ergometer, lasting three weeks. Both groups were followed for six weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Balance was assessed using the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) and the standing balance test. The motor function of the lower extremity was also assessed by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). RESULTS: In the within-group comparison, both the exercise group and the control group had improved significantly (P < 0.01) with time with respect to PASS total (exercise group 18.7 +/- 2.8 to 31.1 +/- 2.2, control group 18.1 +/- 3.2 to 26.4 +/- 3.8) and PASS subscores, as well as the FMA score (exercise group 17.2 +/- 7.5 to 29.1 +/- 5.9, control group 16.6 +/- 6.4 to 22.1 +/- 6.8). In addition there was a significant group-time interaction effect, with exercise group patients demonstrating better performance in both the total PASS score and PASS subscores and FMA score relative to the control patients (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest that stroke patients in the subacute stage can improve their motor and balance abilities after an early short duration of cycling training.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Does an extended stroke unit service with early supported discharge have any effect on balance or walking speed?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of an extended stroke unit service with early supported discharge on balance and walking speed, and to explore the association between initial leg paresis, initial movement ability and balance one year after stroke. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial comparing early supported discharge with ordinary stroke unit service. PATIENTS: A total of 62 eligible patients after stroke. METHODS: The outcome measures were Berg Balance Scale and walking speed at 1, 6, 26 and 52 weeks after stroke. RESULTS: We found no significant differences between the 2 groups during follow-up. There was a significant improvement on Berg Balance Scale (p=0.013) and walking speed (p=0.022) in the early supported discharge group, but not in the ordinary service group, from 1 to 6 weeks' follow-up. All patients with initial severe leg paresis suffered from poor balance one year after the stroke. The odds ratio for poor balance was 42.1 (95% confidence interval; 3.5-513.9) among patients with no initial walking ability. CONCLUSION: These results do not conclusively indicate that early supported discharge has an effect on balance. A strong association was found between initial severe leg paresis, initial inability to walk and poor balance after one year.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Five images of maturity in adolescence: what does "grown up" mean?

This study focussed on the subjective meanings of maturity in adolescence, or what it means to adolescents to be grown up. Younger (6th grade) and older (9th grade) adolescents' descriptions (n=236) of their "grown-up" peers were examined through content analysis. This qualitative analysis revealed five images of maturity portrayed by adolescents: balanced maturity (adolescents who show psychosocial and behavioural maturity, and ability to balance work and play); an image focussed on privileges (adolescents who engage in problem behaviour and present what may be a facade of adult-like behaviour); an image focussed on responsibility (adolescents who may be psychosocially mature, but may have taken on inappropriately high levels of responsibility); an image focussed on power and status (adolescents who seem to have usurped an older status, by being bossy and controlling); and an image focussed on physical development (adolescents who show advanced levels of physical maturity). There were some gender and age differences in the frequencies of these five images. Discussion is directed at understanding the hallmarks of each image relative to scholarly notions of adult maturity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Memory inhibition and energy regulation.

At a simple behavioral level, food intake and body weight regulation depend on one's ability to balance the tendency to seek out and consume food with the ability to suppress or inhibit those responses. Accordingly, any factor that augments the tendency to engage in food seeking and eating or that interferes with the suppression of these behaviors could produce (a) caloric intake in excess of caloric need; (b) increases in body weight leading to obesity. This paper starts with the idea that excess body weight and obesity stem from a failure or degradation of mechanisms that normally function to inhibit eating behavior. Unlike previous approaches, we focus not on failures of traditional physiological (e.g., neural, hormonal) regulatory control mechanisms, but on disruptions of inhibitory learning and memory processes that may help to regulate energy intake. This view of energy dysregulation as a type of "learning disorder" leads us to the hippocampus, a brain structure that has long been regarded as an important substrate for learning and memory and which we think may be critically involved with a specific type of memory inhibition function that could contribute to the suppression of food intake. With this focus, the search for environmental origins of the current obesity epidemic in Western populations is directed toward factors that alter hippocampal functioning. We conclude by offering a preliminary account of how consumption of foods high in saturated fats might lead to impaired hippocampal function, reduced ability to inhibit caloric intake and, ultimately, to increased body weight.

Animals↗