Article

The purpose of this study was to investigate postural balance control
under normal and experimentally altered sensory conditions in normal-weight
versus overweight children. METHODS: sixty children were stratified into a
younger (7-9yr) and an older age group (10-12yr). Participants were also
classified as normal-weight (n=22) or overweight (n=38), according to the
international BMI cut-off points for children. Postural stability was assessed
during quiet bilateral stance in four sensory conditions (eyes open or closed,
normal or reduced plantar sensation), using a Kistler force plate to quantify COP
dynamics. Coefficients of variation were calculated as well to describe
intra-individual variability. FINDINGS: removal of vision resulted in
systematically higher amounts of postural sway, but no significant BMI group
differences were demonstrated across sensory conditions. However, under normal
conditions lower plantar cutaneous sensation was associated with higher COP
velocities and maximal excursion of the COP in the medial-lateral direction for
the overweight group. Regardless of condition, higher variability was shown in
the overweight children within the 7-9yr old subgroup for postural sway velocity,
and more specifically medial-lateral velocity. INTERPRETATION: in spite of these
subtle differences, results did not establish any clear underlying sensory
organization impairments that may affect standing balance performance in
overweight children compared to normal-weight peers. Consequently, it is believed
that other factors account for overweight children's functional balance
deficiencies.
CI - 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS