Article

Recent studies indicate that the effect of training on motor performance in
persons with Parkinson's disease (PDP) is dependent on motor intensity. However,
training of high motor intensity can be hard to apply in PDP due to e.g.
bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor and postural instability. Therefore, the aim was
to study the effect of motor intensive training performed in a safe anti-gravity
environment using lower-body positive pressure (LBPP) technology on performance
during dynamic balance related tasks. Thirteen male PDP went through an 8-week
control period followed by 8 weeks of motor intensive antigravity training.
Seventeen healthy males constituted a control group (CON). Performance during a
five repetition sit-to-stand test (STS; sagittal plane) and a dynamic postural
balance test (DPB; transversal plane) was evaluated. Effect measures were
completion time, functional rates of force development, directional changes and
force variance. STS completion time improved by 24% to the level of CON which was
explained by shorter sitting-time and standing-time and larger numeric rate of
force change during lowering to the chair, indicating faster vertical directional
change and improved relaxation. DPB completion time tended to improve and was
accompanied by improvements of functional medial and lateral rates of force
development and higher vertical force variance during DPB. Our results suggest
that the performance improvements may relate to improved inter-limb coordination.
It is concluded that 8 weeks of motor intensive training in a safe LBPP
environment improved performance during dynamic balance related tasks in PDP.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS