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Differences in intermittent postural control between normal-weight and obese children
Israel Villarrasa-Sapiña1, Xavier García-Massó2, Pilar Serra-Añó3
1Departamento de Educación Física y Deportiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia Spain.
Insights
Obese children exhibit poorer postural control compared to normal-weight children, with significant differences observed in balance metrics. This suggests underlying alterations in how obese children manage their balance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Biomechanics
- Motor Control
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Obesity may impact neuromotor development and function.
- Postural control is crucial for daily activities and injury prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare postural control between obese and non-obese children.
- To identify specific balance deficits associated with childhood obesity.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional, prospective study comparing obese children and a normal-weight control group.
- Postural control assessed using a force plate during bipedal standing (eyes open/closed).
- Analysis of center of pressure signals via time domain and sway-density plot methods.
Main Results:
- Obese children showed significantly greater center of pressure displacement (velocity, ellipse area, mean distance) in both eyes open and closed conditions.
- Differences were also noted in mean peaks (eyes open) and mean time (eyes closed).
- Normal-weight children consistently demonstrated better postural control metrics.
Conclusions:
- Obese children exhibit impaired intermittent postural control.
- Active anticipatory postural adjustments lead to greater center of pressure displacement in obese children.
- Periods of passive and reflex-mediated balance control are shorter in obese children, indicating altered balance strategies.
Aim:
The main objective of this study was to determine differences in postural control between obese and non-obese children.
Methods:
The study design was cross-sectional, prospective, between-subjects. Postural control variables were obtained from a group of obese children and a normal-weight control group under two different postural conditions: bipedal standing position with eyes open and bipedal standing with eyes closed. Variables were obtained for each balance condition using time domain and sway-density plot analysis of the center of pressure signals acquired by means of a force plate.
Results:
Pairwise comparisons revealed significant differences between obese and normal-weight children in mean velocity in antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions, ellipse area and mean distance with both eyes open and eyes closed. Normal-weight subjects obtained lower values in all these variables than obese subjects. Furthermore, there were differences between both groups in mean peaks with eyes open and in mean time with eyes closed.
Conclusion:
Alterations were detected in the intermittent postural control in obese children. According to the results obtained, active anticipatory control produces higher center of pressure displacement responses in obese children and the periods during which balance is maintained by passive control and reflex mechanisms are of shorter duration.
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