Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2025
Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
Published on: July 27, 2022
Swimming, better than tennis, develops sensorimotor adaptabilities involved in postural balance in 5-6-year-old
Rym Baccouch1, Fatma Ben Waer1, Rabeb Laatar1
1Research Laboratory Education, Motricité, Sport et Santé, LR19JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
Purpose:
The present study aimed to evaluate the postural balance of young tennis players and young swimming practitioners in static and dynamic conditions.
Methods:
Thirty-six children (5-6 years old) participated in 3 groups: 12 tennis players, 12 swimming practitioners and 12 controls. Static and dynamic [in medial lateral (ML) and anterior posterior (AP) planes] postural balance were assessed by the centre of pressure sways using a stabilometric force platform in the eyes opened (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions.
Results:
In the EO condition, swimming practitioners and tennis players had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) centre of pressure mean velocity (CoPVm) compared to controls in both static and dynamic medial-lateral (D-ML) postures. In the D-ML posture, swimming practitioners showed lower CoPVm compared to tennis players. However, in the EC condition, only the swimming practitioners showed better static and D-ML postural balance (p < 0.05) compared to their counterparts. In the static posture, the Romberg index value was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in tennis players compared to the two other groups.
Conclusion:
Tennis players developed a higher reliance on vision to maintain balance, whereas swimming practitioners were more stable in challenging postural conditions. Clinicians should consider incorporating swimming training rather than tennis as an appropriate balance training in fall-prevention programs.
