Article

Obesity affects postural sway during normal quiet standing;
however, the reasons for the increased postural sway are unknown. Improving
muscular strength is regarded as a potential way to improve postural control,
particularly for obese and overweight subjects. The purpose of this investigation
is to evaluate the role of muscular strength on postural sway in obese and
overweight individuals. METHODS: Fifteen healthy weight (control group),
seventeen obese (obese group) subjects and nine football players (heavy athletic
group) participated in this investigation. Isometric knee extension force and
postural sway were measured. Muscular strength was calculated in absolute
measures as well as relative to body mass (muscular strength to body mass).
RESULTS: The heavy athletic group demonstrated significantly stronger (absolute)
lower limb strength (1593.9 N (95% CI 1425.5, 1762.3)) than both the obese
(796.2N (95% CI 673.8, 824.5)) and control (694.1N (95% CI 563.7, 824.5)) groups.
As well, when muscular strength was expressed as a ratio to body mass the heavy
athletic group had significantly higher values (1.27 (95% CI 1.11, 1.43)) than
obese (0.78 (95% CI 0.66, 0.89) and control (1.00 (95% CI (0.88, 1.12))
individuals. Despite this, they swayed similarly to the obese (mean center of
pressure speed of 0.83 cms(-1) (95% CI 0.72, 0.93) vs. 0.87 cms(-1) (95% CI 0.80,
0.95)), that is, significantly more than the controls (0.60 cms(-1) (95% CI 0.52,
0.68)). CONCLUSION: Isometric knee extensor strength has a minimal effect on
postural sway in heavier athletic individuals during normal quiet stance.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS