Walking balance on a treadmill changes during pregnancy.

Background: Altered standing balance during pregnancy has been previously reported. To date, body center of mass (bCOM) motion has not been used to track balance changes in this population. We recently compared three methods to determine the torso center of mass (tCOM) location (via force plate acquired center of pressure calculation, using Pavol surface anthropometry measurements, and a combination of the two) to use in calculating the bCOM during pregnancy.

Research Question: This current research explored two questions: (1) does walking balance change during pregnancy, and (2) do the methods for identifying tCOM location affect the resulting balance measures?

Methods: Fifteen pregnant women were recruited to perform 60-second trial of treadmill walking at 4-week intervals from 12 weeks gestation until delivery. Walking balance was measured as bCOM motion within the base of support. Gestation time and anthropometric model (force plate, Pavol, and combination) were repeated-measures independent variables in a general linear mixed model analysis.

Results: There was a significant decrease in walking balance during pregnancy. As gestation progressed, we observed non-linear changes in the bCOM motion within the base of support over time, with some changes starting early in pregnancy and others not starting until late 2 trimester. The anthropometric model used to locate the bCOM significantly influences balance measures. The results of this study indicate that the force plate method is more appropriate for locating the tCOM in the anterior and lateral directions.

Significance: The results of this study will inform clinicians and patients about the gestational stage-associated changes in balance during pregnancy that increase the risk of falling and injury. Researchers should also carefully consider the method for locating the bCOM.