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Does load carriage differentially alter postural sway in overweight vs. normal-weight schoolchildren?
Massimiliano Pau1, Sunwook Kim, Maury A Nussbaum
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cagliari Piazza d'Armi, 09123 Cagliari, Italy. pau@dimeca.unica.it
Gait & Posture
|November 18, 2011
Summary
Overweight children exhibit reduced balance capabilities and different postural strategies, especially when carrying a backpack. This indicates potential impairments in postural control that require further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Biomechanics
- Child Health
Background:
- Excess mass in children is linked to various health issues, including impaired postural control.
- Carrying loads, like backpacks, can further challenge balance and stability in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate postural control differences between overweight/obese and normal-weight children.
- To assess the impact of backpack load on postural control in children.
Main Methods:
- Postural control was assessed in 77 overweight/obese and 77 normal-weight children (6-11 years old).
- Center of pressure (COP) time series were recorded during quiet standing, with and without backpacks.
- Traditional measures (mean velocity) and complexity index (multiscale entropy) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in mean COP velocity were found between weight groups, with or without backpacks.
- A complexity index revealed reduced balance capabilities and altered postural strategies in overweight children.
- These findings suggest a more nuanced view of postural control in overweight children.
Conclusions:
- Traditional balance measures may not fully capture postural control deficits in overweight children.
- Multiscale entropy analysis offers a sensitive method for detecting subtle balance impairments.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term consequences of these altered postural strategies.
