The effects of brief swaying on postural control. Issue 17 (6th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pagé, Sara; Maheu, Maxime; Landry, Simon P.; Champoux, François
• Is Part Of: NeuroReport. Volume 28:Issue 17(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-12-06
• Subjects: balance training -- force platform -- postural control -- risks of falls -- sway velocity; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Nervous System Physiological Phenomena -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; 616.805
• DOI: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000000866
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-4965

Abstract

Abstract : Postural control can be improved with balance training. However, the nature and duration of the training required to enhance posture remains unclear. We studied the effects of 5 min of a self-initiated balance exercise along a single axis on postural control in healthy individuals. Postural control was measured before and after a 5-min period where members of the experimental group were asked to lean their entire body forward and backward and members of the control group were asked to remain seated. A significant improvement for sway velocity, a postural control variable significantly associated with an increased risk of falls, was found in the experimental group following the body sway exercise. These data suggest that a basic exercise can rapidly improve postural control and reduce the risk of falls.