Effect of age and training schedules on balance improvemet
exercises using visual biofeedback
Hamman R., Longridge N., Mekjavić I., Dickinson J., Effect of age and training schedules on balance improvemet
exercises using visual biofeedback, Journal of otolaryngology, 1995, 24, 4, str. 221-229.
Abstract (English) There has been a growing popularity and success
rate of balance rehabilitationprograms, and this success is paraleled by
the growth of technology, making vailable instruments that provide
objective, quantitative and immediate results. The Balance Master tm is
such a commercially available instrument, consisting of a dual-force
platform connected to a microcomputer that provides visual feedback of the
centre of gravity (COG) in relation to the theoretical limits of stability.
Spontaneous body sway can be measured in a static central position, or in
peripheral positions around the limits of stability (peripheral sway area).
The trajectory between targets can also be analyzed in terms of time
(transition time) and accuracy (path error) of transition, which gives a
quantitative measure of dynamic movement of the COG.This study examined the
practice effect that occurs while using this instrument over repeated
sessions for two schedules of training (daily and weekly) and over two age
groups (20-35 years, and 60-76 years). Each group completed a series of
postural exercises, with an assessment of static and dynamic postural
variables before and after, and at approximately 3 and 6 weeks
post-training. Spontaneous body sway was measured with eyes open, eyes
closed, and with visual feedback of the COG. No signifocant changes were
observed in these variables as measured over the four standard assessment
occasions. Peripheral sway area and path error decreased significantly for
theboth the daily and weekly training groups from pre- to post-training,
and these skills were retained over both retention tests, whereas the
tendency toward decreasing transition time was not significant.
