Changes in standing stability when wearing different colored glasses cannot be determined by participants' subjective preference - A crossover randomized single-blinded pilot study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The use of individually preferred colored glasses has gained popularity with the expectation that it may improve balance control and sports performance, however, the results of previous studies remain inconclusive. AIM OF THE STUDY In the present pilot study, we aimed to determine the association between participants' subjective preference and standing balance performance when wearing five different colored glasses. METHODS: Thirteen participants stood on one or two legs on a pair of synchronized force platforms for 30 seconds with 60 seconds rest between the five-five randomized stance trials, while wearing red, blue, yellow, green, or transparent colored glasses. In addition to 7 CoP-related variables, we analyzed five features of EMG data from three lower limb muscles on both legs. RESULTS: No significant effect of colored glasses was found. Some CoP (velocity χ²(4, 13) = 10.086; p = 0.039; Kendall's W = 0.194, root mean square [RMS] χ²(4, 13) = 12.278; p = 0.015; Kendall's W = 0.236) and EMG-related (RMS of biceps femoris χ²(4, 13) = 13.006; p = 0.011; Kendall's W = 0.250) variables showed differences between the colored glass conditions during dominant-leg stance, however, participants failed to consecutively determine these differences in standing stability. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our results may suggest that lens color preference, irrespective of the color itself, may influence dominant leg standing balance most probably due to psychological factors, however, only subjective determination have no potential to determine the color of the glasses that would support the individual's standing balance the most.