-
1.
Effects of Short-Term Unilateral Strength Training on Measures of Postural Control When Wearing "Operationally Relevant" Backpack Loads.
Krajewski, KT, Bansbach, HM, McLean, L, McKenzie, C, Rawcliffe, A, Graham, SM, Flanagan, SD, Pourmoghaddam, A, Dettmer, M, Connaboy, C
Journal of strength and conditioning research. 2020;(10):2743-2750
Abstract
Krajewski, KT, Bansbach, HM, McLean, L, McKenzie, C, Rawcliffe, A, Graham, SM, Flanagan, SD, Pourmoghaddam, A, Dettmer, M, and Connaboy, C. Effects of short-term unilateral strength training on measures of postural control when wearing "operationally relevant" backpack loads. J Strength Cond Res 34(10): 2743-2750, 2020-To examine the effects of "operationally relevant" loads on postural stability and to determine the effects of unilateral and bilateral strength training programs on postural stability in healthy, recruit-aged men. Fifteen subjects were randomly assigned to either a unilateral (UL; n = 7) or bilateral (BL; n = 8) strength training group, which performed strength training 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Subjects completed the following pretest and post-test assessments: 1 repetition maximum in bilateral (1RM-BL) and unilateral (1RM-UL) stance positions and bilateral and unilateral balance tasks with eyes open and eyes closed. Balance tasks were performed over 3 loading conditions: body mass (BM), 50% BM, and 70% BM. Sample entropy (SE) and root mean square (RMS) were calculated from the center of pressures collected during each balance assessment. The UL strength training group showed significant improvement after training in both 1RM-UL (p < 0.01) and 1RM-BL (p < 0.01). The BL strength training group only showed significant improvement in 1RM-BL (p = 0.01). There was a significant main effect of load on RMS (p < 0.05) across all balance tasks with RMS increasing with increasing load. Sample entropy was found to decrease with increasing load in the unilateral eyes open and bilateral stance tasks. Significant increases in strength (∼10 to -29%) were observed; however, increased strength alone is not enough to mitigate the effects of load carriage on the postural control, even when training is performed in stance positions that are posturally challenging. Therefore, "operationally relevant" loads negatively impact postural stability in novice load carriers when assessing nonlinear measures.
-
2.
Dalfampridine to Improve Balance in Multiple Sclerosis: Substudy from a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Prosperini, L, Castelli, L, De Giglio, L, Bonanno, V, Gasperini, C, Pozzilli, C
Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics. 2020;(2):704-709
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
This was a substudy of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial originally designed to explore the effect of dalfampridine on information processing speed (2013-002558-64 EU Clinical Trials Register) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). A total of 120 patients were originally randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive dalfampridine 10 mg or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. Here, we sought to explore the effect of dalfampridine on static balance in single-task and dual-task conditions in a subgroup of 41 patients. They underwent static posturography in quiet standing (single-task) and while performing the Stroop test (dual-task) at randomization (baseline), after 12 weeks and after a 4-week wash-out period. Baseline characteristics of active group (n = 27) did not differ from those of placebo group (n = 14). Dalfampridine treatment was associated with better balance control than placebo in both single-task (F = 4.80, p = 0.034) and dual-task (F = 6.42, p = 0.015) conditions, with small-to-moderate effect sizes (Cohen's f2 = 0.122-0.162). The beneficial effect of dalfampridine was not retained 4 weeks after its discontinuation. The rate of accidental falls per month did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.12). Our preliminary findings suggest that dalfampridine can be considered a potential option to treat balance impairment due to MS. Larger sample sizes are needed to verify if the beneficial effect of dalfampridine on balance can be translated into a reduced risk of accidental falls.
-
3.
Vitamin D Supplementation Improves the Effects of the Rehabilitation Program on Balance and Pressure Distribution in Patients after Anterior Cervical Interbody Fusion-Randomized Control Trial.
Skrobot, W, Perzanowska, E, Krasowska, K, Flis, DJ, Dzik, KP, Kloc, W, Kaczor, JJ, Antosiewicz, J
Nutrients. 2020;(12)
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN A double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. BACKGROUND Surgery is effective in reducing pain intensity in patients with cervical disc disease. However, functional measurements demonstrated that the results have been not satisfactory enough. Thus, rehabilitation programs combined with the supplementation of vitamin D could play an essential role. METHODS The study recruited 30 patients, aged 20 to 70 years, selected for anterior cervical interbody fusion (ACIF). The patients were randomly divided into the placebo (Pl) and vitamin D (3200 IU D3/day) supplemented groups. The functional tests limits of stability (LOS), risk of falls (RFT), postural stability (PST), Romberg test, and foot pressure distribution were performed before supplementation (BS-week 0), five weeks after supplementation (AS-week 5), four weeks after surgery (BSVR-week 9), and 10 weeks after supervising rehabilitation (ASVR-week 19). RESULTS The concentration of 25(OH)D3 in the serum, after five weeks of supplementation, was significantly increased, while the Pl group maintained the same. The RFT was significantly reduced after five weeks of vitamin D supplementation. Moreover, a further significant decrease was observed following rehabilitation. In the Pl group, no changes in the RFT were observed. The overall postural stability index (OSI), LOS, and the outcomes of the Romberg test significantly improved in both groups; however, the effects on the OSI were more pronounced in the D3 group at the end of the rehabilitation program. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that vitamin D supplementation positively affected the rehabilitation program in patients implemented four weeks after ACIF by reducing the risk of falls and improving postural stability.
-
4.
Postural Balance Effects Associated with 400, 4000 or 10,000 IU Vitamin D3 Daily for Three Years: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.
Burt, LA, Gabel, L, Billington, EO, Hanley, DA, Boyd, SK
Nutrients. 2020;(2)
Abstract
Vitamin D supplementation is proposed as a fall prevention strategy, as it may improve neuromuscular function. We examined whether three years of vitamin D supplementation (400, 4000 or 10,000 IU daily) affects postural sway in older adults. Three hundred and seventy-three non-osteoporotic, vitamin D-sufficient, community-dwelling healthy adults, aged 55-70 years, were randomized to 400 (n = 124), 4000 (n = 125) or 10,000 (n = 124) IU daily vitamin D3 for three years. Sway index was assessed at baseline, 12-, 24- and 36-months using the Biosway machine. We tested participants under four conditions: eyes open or eyes closed with firm (EOFI, ECFI) or foam (EOFO, ECFO) surfaces. Secondary assessments examined sway in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) directions. Linear mixed effects models compared sway between supplementation groups across time. Postural sway under EOFO and ECFO conditions significantly improved in all supplementation groups over time. Postural sway did not differ between supplementation groups at any time under any testing conditions in normal, AP or ML directions (p > 0.05 for all). Our findings suggest that high dose (4000 or 10,000 IU) vitamin D supplementation neither benefit nor impair balance compared with 400 IU daily in non-osteoporotic, vitamin D-sufficient, healthy older adults.
-
5.
The Effect of Nordic Walking Training Combined with Vitamin D Supplementation on Postural Control and Muscle Strength in Elderly People-A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Mieszkowski, J, Niespodziński, B, Kochanowicz, A, Gmiat, A, Prusik, K, Prusik, K, Kortas, J, Ziemann, E, Antosiewicz, J
International journal of environmental research and public health. 2018;(9)
Abstract
Nordic Walking (NW) and Vitamin D concentration (Vit D) alone have been shown to contribute to the health and performance of elderly people. However, the interaction between these two factors has yet to be explored. In this study 42 women over 60 years of age (69.02 ± 5.56 years) were recruited and divided in two NW groups: a high-intensity interval training group (HI-NW) and a moderate-intensity continuous training group (MI-NW). Individuals from each group completed a 12-week NW training program (3 times a week/2 hours) combined with randomized Vitamin D supplementation (HD = high dose: 4000 IU/day or LD = low dose: 800 IU/day). Body composition, postural control, muscle strength and Vitamin D serum concentration were measured twice; before and after the intervention. To investigate the interaction between supplementation and training a mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed. The HI-NW group, regardless of supplementation dose, increased their Vit D and elbow torque performance. On the other hand, in the MI-NW group the same Vit D outcome was seen only with HD supplementation and was also associated with increased leg muscle mass. In conclusion, beneficial effects of both HI-NW and MI-NW training regimes were seen. The impact of the dose supplementation on Vit D and body composition was related to the type of NW training.
-
6.
Effects of stretching and fatigue on peak torque, muscle imbalance, and stability.
Costa, PB, Ruas, CV, Smith, CM
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness. 2018;(7-8):957-965
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study examined the acute effects of hamstrings stretching and fatigue on knee extension and flexion peak torque (PT), hamstrings to quadriceps (H:Q) ratio, and postural stability. METHODS Seventeen women (mean±SD age=21.8±2.1 years; body mass=63.0±10.5 kg; height=164.7±6.2 cm) and eighteen men (25.8±4.6 years; 83.6±13.2 kg; 175.3±6.0 cm) took part in three laboratory visits. The first visit was a familiarization session, and the subsequent two visits were randomly assigned as a control or stretching condition. For the testing visits, subjects performed a postural stability assessment, stretched (or sat quietly during the control condition), performed a 50-repetition unilateral isokinetic fatigue protocol, and repeated the postural stability assessment. RESULTS There were no significant differences between control and stretching conditions for initial quadriceps and hamstrings PT, initial H:Q ratio, quadriceps and hamstrings PT fatigue indexes, H:Q ratio Fatigue Index, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), or postural stability (P>0.05). When analyzing 5 intervals of 10 repetitions, significant declines in quadriceps PT were found in all intervals for both conditions (P<0.05). However, a decline in hamstrings PT was only found until the fourth interval (i.e., repetitions 31 to 40) for the stretching condition (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Stretching the hamstrings immediately prior to long-duration activities may eventually cause adverse effects in force-generating capacity of this muscle group to occur earlier when fatiguing tasks are involved. Nevertheless, no changes were found for the H:Q ratios after stretching when compared to no-stretching.
-
7.
Specific balance training included in an endurance-resistance exercise program improves postural balance in elderly patients undergoing haemodialysis.
Frih, B, Mkacher, W, Jaafar, H, Frih, A, Ben Salah, Z, El May, M, Hammami, M
Disability and rehabilitation. 2018;(7):784-790
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 6 months of specific balance training included in endurance-resistance program on postural balance in haemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS Forty-nine male patients undergoing HD were randomly assigned to an intervention group (balance training included in an endurance-resistance training, n = 26) or a control group (resistance-endurance training only, n = 23). Postural control was assessed using six clinical tests; Timed Up and Go test, Tinetti Mobility Test, Berg Balance Scale, Unipodal Stance test, Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test and Activities Balance Confidence scale. RESULTS All balance measures increased significantly after the period of rehabilitation training in the intervention group. Only the Timed Up and Go, Berg Balance Scale, Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test and Activities Balance Confidence scores were improved in the control group. The ranges of change in these tests were greater in the balance training group. CONCLUSIONS In HD patients, specific balance training included in a usual endurance-resistance training program improves static and dynamic balance better than endurance-resistance training only. Implications for rehabilitation Rehabilitation using exercise in haemodialysis patients improved global mobility and functional abilities. Specific balance training included in usual endurance resistance training program could lead to improved static and dynamic balance.
-
8.
High and odd impact exercise training improved physical function and fall risk factors in community-dwelling older men.
Allison, SJ, Brooke-Wavell, K, Folland, J
Journal of musculoskeletal & neuronal interactions. 2018;(1):100-107
Abstract
UNLABELLED High impact exercise programmes can improve bone strength, but little is known about whether this type of training further benefits fracture risk by improving physical function in older people. OBJECTIVES This study investigated the influence of high impact exercise on balance, muscle function and morphology in older men. METHODS Fifty, healthy men (65-80 years) were assigned to a 6-month multidirectional hopping programme (TG) and twenty age and physical activity matched volunteers served as controls (CG). Before and after training, muscle function (hop performance, leg press and plantar- and dorsiflexion strength) and physiological determinants (muscle thickness and architecture) as well as balance control (sway path, one leg stance duration) were measured. Resting gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle thickness and architecture were assessed using ultrasonography. RESULTS Significant improvements in hop impulse (+12%), isometric leg-press strength (+4%) and ankle plantarflexion strength (+11%), dorsiflexor strength (+20%) were found in the TG compared to the CG (ANOVA interaction, P⟨0.05) and unilateral stance time improved over time for TG. GM muscle thickness indicated modest hypertrophy (+4%), but muscle architecture was unchanged. CONCLUSION The positive changes in strength and balance after high impact and odd impact training would be expected to improve physical function in older adults.
-
9.
One session of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) every 5 days, improves muscle power but not static balance in lifelong sedentary ageing men: A randomized controlled trial.
Sculthorpe, NF, Herbert, P, Grace, F
Medicine. 2017;(6):e6040
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
BACKGROUND Declining muscle power during advancing age predicts falls and loss of independence. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) may improve muscle power, but remains largely unstudied in ageing participants. METHODS This randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated the efficacy of a low-frequency HIIT (LfHIIT) intervention on peak muscle power (peak power output [PPO]), body composition, and balance in lifelong sedentary but otherwise healthy males. METHODS Thirty-three lifelong sedentary ageing men were randomly assigned to either intervention (INT; n = 22, age 62.3 ± 4.1 years) or control (n = 11, age 61.6 ± 5.0 years) who were both assessed at 3 distinct measurement points (phase A), after 6 weeks of conditioning exercise (phase B), and after 6 weeks of HIIT once every 5 days in INT (phase C), where control remained inactive throughout the study. RESULTS Static balance remained unaffected, and both absolute and relative PPO were not different between groups at phases A or B, but increased significantly in INT after LfHIIT (P < 0.01). Lean body mass displayed a significant interaction (P < 0.01) due to an increase in INT between phases B and C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS 6 weeks of LfHIIT exercise feasible and effective method to induce clinically relevant improvements in absolute and relative PPO, but does not improve static balance in sedentary ageing men.
-
10.
The Effect of Yoga on Balance and Fear of Falling in Older Adults.
Nick, N, Petramfar, P, Ghodsbin, F, Keshavarzi, S, Jahanbin, I
PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation. 2016;(2):145-51
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of yoga on balance and fear of falling in older adults. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING Jahandidegan Center in Shiraz, southern Iran. PARTICIPANTS Forty persons (17 men and 23 women) between the ages of 60-74 years with a Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES) score <8 and a Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score <45. After completing the MFES questionnaire and BBS measurement, the participants were divided into intervention and control groups. BBS measurement and the MFES questionnaire were completed again immediately after the intervention. INTERVENTION The intervention group participated in 2 yoga practice sessions per week for 8 weeks. The control group received no intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Fear of falling was measured with the MFES and balance was measured with the BBS. RESULTS We found significant changes in both variables (P < .0001). Mean differences before and after the intervention for the BBS for yoga and control groups were 10.19 and -1.16, respectively. Mean differences before and after the intervention for the MFES for yoga and control groups were 1.62 and -0.21, respectively. CONCLUSION Yoga is a potential intervention to reduce fear of falling and improve balance in older adults.