Childhood obesity affects postural control and aiming performance during an upper limb movement.

Obesity reduces the efficiency of postural and movement control mechanisms. However, the effects of obesity on a functional motor task and postural control in standing and seated position have not been closely quantified among children. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of obesity on the execution of aiming tasks performed in standing and seated conditions in children.

Reduced plantar sole sensitivity induces balance control modifications to compensate ankle tendon vibration and vision deprivation.

The aim of this study was to investigate if sensory reweighting occurred to control balance when the sensitivity of the plantar sole is reduced using cooling. To address this question, visual information was manipulated and/or ankle proprioception was altered by Achilles tendon vibration. It was expected that Achilles tendon vibration and vision deprivation would induce greater center of pressure (CoP) excursions and/or increase of electromyographic (EMG) activity of the ankle muscles (triceps surea and tibialis anterior) with than without cooling of the plantar sole.

Short term alteration of balance control after a reduction of plantar mechanoreceptor sensation through cooling.

Proprioceptive inputs from the plantar sole contribute to balance control during normal quiet standing. This study investigated the cooling of plantar sole mechanoreceptors through ice immersion and its effects on balance control and lower leg muscle activity. Ten healthy males participated in this study.

The impact of obesity on balance control in community-dwelling older women.

Older individuals have impaired balance control, particularly those that are frail and/or have sensory deprivations. Obese individuals show faster body sway during upright stance than normal weight individuals, suggesting that they also have difficulty controlling balance even if they do not have the same sensory issues as the older people. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine if obesity is associated to a decreased balance control in older women.

The effects of muscle strength on center of pressure-based measures of postural sway in obese and heavy athletic individuals.

Introduction: 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.