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Frequency characteristics of postural control of children with and without visual impairment
C V Portfors-Yeomans1, C L Riach
1Department of Biology, York University, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Young children rely less on vision for balance. Visually impaired children exhibit greater postural instability, especially older children aged 10-12 years.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Developmental Psychology
- Kinesiology
Background:
- Postural control is crucial for daily activities.
- Vision plays a significant role in maintaining balance.
- Understanding developmental changes in postural control is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the centre of pressure (COP) frequency characteristics in normal and visually impaired children.
- To examine the influence of visual input and surface stability on postural control.
- To identify age-related differences in postural control strategies.
Main Methods:
- Quiet standing on a force platform was assessed under four conditions: normal surface (eyes open/closed) and foam surface (eyes open/closed).
- Centre of pressure (COP) frequency characteristics, including total power (0-4Hz) and relative high/low frequency power, were analyzed.
- Logarithmically transformed data slopes were used to compare power distribution.
Main Results:
- Younger children (4-6 years) demonstrated greater total power and a higher proportion of high-frequency power, suggesting limited reliance on immediate vision for postural control.
- Visually impaired children showed significantly greater postural instability compared to their sighted peers.
- The difference in instability between visually impaired and sighted children was most pronounced in older children (10-12 years).
Conclusions:
- Young children (4-6 years) do not typically utilize immediate visual feedback for postural control.
- Visual impairment leads to increased postural instability in children.
- The impact of visual impairment on postural control becomes more significant with age, particularly during pre-adolescence.
Abstract:
During quiet standing on a force platform, centre of pressure frequency characteristics of normal and visually impaired children were investigated under four conditions: normal surface, eyes open and closed; foam surface, eyes open and closed. Total power was calculated between 0 and 4Hz. Slopes of logarithmically transformed data were used to compare relative power at high and low frequencies. Younger children had greater total power and relatively more high frequency power. The results suggest that young children (four to six years) do not normally use immediate vision in postural control. Visually impaired children have greater instability than sighted children, with greatest differences between the two groups at 10 to 12 years.