The effect of textured surfaces on postural stability and lower limb muscle activity

Textured insoles may enhance sensory input on the plantar surfaces of the feet, thereby influencing neuromuscular function. The aim of this study was to investigate whether textured surfaces alter postural stability and lower limb muscle activity during quiet bipedal standing balance with eyes open. Anterior-posterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) sway variables and the intensity of electromyographic (EMG) activity in eight dominant lower limb muscles were collected synchronously over 30s in 24 young adults under three randomised conditions: control surface (C), texture 1 (T1) and texture 2 (T2). Repeated measures ANOVA showed that the textured surfaces did not significantly affect AP or ML postural sway in comparison to the control condition (p>0.05). Neither did the textured surfaces significantly alter EMG activity in the lower limbs (p>0.05). Under the specific conditions of this study, texture did not affect either postural sway or lower limb muscle activity in static bipedal standing. The results of this study point to three areas of further work including the effect of textured surfaces on postural stability and lower limb muscle activity: (i) in young healthy adults under more vigorous dynamic balance tests, (ii) post-fatigue, and (iii) in older adults presenting age-related deterioration.