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Treadmill exercise negatively affects visual contribution to static postural stability
W Derave1, N Tombeux, J Cottyn
1Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|January 5, 2002
Summary
Moderate exercise impairs postural stability, especially with eyes open, with running having a greater effect than walking. This highlights exercise
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Biomechanics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Postural stability is crucial for daily activities.
- Physical exercise can transiently affect balance control.
- Understanding post-exercise balance deficits is important for injury prevention and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of moderate-intensity exercise (walking vs. running) on postural stability.
- To determine the role of visual input in post-exercise balance control.
- To examine differences in postural sway between walking and running.
Main Methods:
- Nine healthy subjects performed 30-minute treadmill walking and running at matched energy expenditure.
- Postural sway was measured using force plate analysis (mean velocity of centre of pressure).
- Kinematic analysis of head movement was conducted during exercise.
Main Results:
- Exercise increased 2D postural sway by 9-19% in the eyes-open condition, but not eyes-closed.
- Postural sway was significantly higher after running compared to walking.
- Running exhibited greater vertical head displacement and acceleration than walking.
Conclusions:
- Moderate exercise, particularly running, impairs visual contribution to postural stability.
- Exercise-induced postural instability affects both sagittal and frontal planes, with a more transient effect in the sagittal plane.
- Greater head movement during running may contribute to more significant postural disturbances.