Article

the aim of this study was to assess whether reduced balance capacity
in obese subjects is secondary to altered sensory information. SUBJECTS: 44 obese (BMI = 40.6 +/- 4.6 kg/m2, age = 34.2 +/-
10.8 years, body weight: 114,0 +/- 16,0 Kg, body height 167,5 +/- 9,8 cm) and 20
healthy controls (10 females, 10 males, BMI: 21.6 +/- 2.2 kg/m2, age: 30.5 +/-
5.5 years, body weight: 62,9 +/- 9,3 Kg, body height 170,1 +/- 5,8 cm) were
enrolled. MEASUREMENTS: center of pressure (CoP) displacements were evaluated
during quiet stance on a force platform with eyes open (EO) and closed (EC). The
Romberg quotient (EC/EO) was computed and compared between groups. RESULTS: we
found statistically significant differences between obese and controls in CoP
displacements (p < 0.01) and no statistically significant differences in Romberg
quotients (p > 0.08). CONCLUSION: the increased CoP displacements in obese
subjects do not need an hypothesis about altered sensory information. The
integration of different sensory inputs appears similar in controls and obese. In
the latter, the increased mass, ankle torque and muscle activity may probably
account for the higher CoP displacements.

Langue : ANGLAIS