Impact of neuromuscular training including balance, strength and plyometric exercises on static and dynamic balance in high-level male runners with mild intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the impact of neuromuscular training (NMT) on static and dynamic postural balance (PB) among high-level male runners with intellectual disability. METHOD: Twenty-seven runners were randomly assigned to a NMT group and a control group who maintained their conventional training. Static and dynamic PB were assessed using the centre of pressure (CoP) excursions (in bipedal and unipedal stances under open eyes (OE) and closed eyes (CE) conditions) and the star excursion balance test (SEBT), respectively, at pre-training and post-training. RESULTS: The NMT group showed significantly (p < 0.05) decreased CoP values and increased SEBT scores at post-training compared to pre-training. The switch from OE to CE did not affect static PB in the bipedal stance, only in the NMT group. CONCLUSIONS: The NMT was effective in improving static and dynamic PB in runners with intellectual disability. The NMT could reduce visual dependency.

Static postural balance between male athletes with intellectual disabilities and their sedentary peers: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports showed that athletes without disabilities have better postural skills than their sedentary peers. This finding has not been elucidated in athletes with intellectual disabilities despite their decreased postural balance. This study aims to investigate static postural balance in track and field athletes with intellectual disabilities compared to their sedentary peers. METHODS: Eighteen track and field athletes with intellectual disabilities (23.5 ± 4.52 years) and 18 sedentary peers (20.3 ± 3.4 years) participated in this study. A stabilometric platform was used to assess static postural balance in bipedal and unipedal stances with open (OE) and closed (CE) eyes. RESULTS: In OE, the result showed significantly better static postural balance (CoPVm : p < .001; CoParea : p < .001) in athletes compared to the sedentary ones in both stances. In CE, this difference was not observed in the unipedal stance. CONCLUSION: Track and field experience may improve static postural balance in athletes with intellectual disabilities, mainly when visual input is available.

Acute effects of low versus high caffeine dose consumption on postural balance in middle-aged women.

While caffeine effects on postural balance are controversial and while postural sways are an issue for middle-aged adults, no data is available concerning the caffeine effects on these sways. As women have a greater sensitivity to caffeine consumption than men, we hypothesized that caffeine may positively affect these sways. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of different caffeine doses on postural balance in middle-aged women. Twenty-five healthy middle-aged women were recruited to evaluate their postural performance, after treatment capsule intake. As a result, significant improvements were observed only in eyes closed on foam surface, after low caffeine consumption.

Dynamic Balance in Athletes With Intellectual Disability: Effect of Dynamic Stretching and Plyometric Warm-Ups.

CONTEXT: Athletes with intellectual disability (ID) have a high risk of injury while participating in various sports. Warm-up (WU) is the most preventive measure to reduce injuries in sports. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of dynamic stretching WU (DS-WU) and plyometric WU (PL-WU) on dynamic balance in athletes with ID. DESIGN: Crossover study. SETTING: Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 12 athletes with ID (age 24.5 [3.22] y, height 165.7 [8.4] cm, weight 61.5 [7.1] kg, intelligence quotient 61.1 [3.5]). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dynamic balance was assessed using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) at pre-WU, post-WU, and 15 minutes post-WU for both the DS-WU and the PL-WU. A 2-way analysis of variance (3 sessions × 2 WU methods) with repeated-measures was used in this study. RESULTS: Following the DS-WU, participants demonstrated significant improvements in the SEBT composite score post-WU (89.12% [5.54%] vs 87.04% [5.35%]; P < .01) and at 15 minutes post-WU (89.55% [5.28%] vs 87.04%, P < .01) compared with pre-WU. However, no significant difference between these two post-WU scores (post-WU and 15 min post-WU) was found. For the PL-WU, participants demonstrated a significant decrease in the SEBT composite score at post-WU (85.95% [5.49%] vs 87.02% [5.73%]; P < .05); however, these scores increased significantly at 15 minutes post-WU (88.60% [5.42%] vs 87.02% [5.49%]; P < .05) compared with that at pre-WU. The SEBT composite scores are significantly higher in the DS-WU than in the PL-WU at both post-WU sessions (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Both DS-WU and PL-WU could improve dynamic balance and may be recommended as WUs in athletes with ID; however, particular caution should be exercised immediately after the PL-WU.

Comparison of Dynamic Balance Performances of Adult Runners With Intellectual Disability Versus Their Sedentary Peers.

Our aim in this study was to compare the dynamic balance between runners (100 sprint) and non-runners with intellectual disability (ID). Our participants were 36 healthy male adults with ID aged 17-29 years, divided into runners (n = 18) and sedentary non-runners (n = 18). We assessed dynamic balance in these participants, using the Y-Balance Test (YBT), the Expanded-Timed Up and Go Test (ETUGT) and the Functional Reach Test (FRT). Runners with ID had significantly better balance scores than their sedentary counterparts on YBT (p < .001), the two walking phases of the ETUGT (p < .05) and the FRT (p <.05). Thus, running training (100 m sprint) was associated with better dynamic balance in this sample.

Postural Balance in Young Tennis Players of Varied Competition Levels.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of young tennis players' expertise on their postural balance (PB) under sensorial conditions with eyes open (EO) and with eyes closed (EC). Our participants were 75 healthy adolescents aged 15-18 years, divided into three groups based on their skill levels: (a) national tennis players (NAT; n = 25), regional tennis players (REG; n =25), and a control group of non-sport practitioners (CG; n = 25). We recorded center of pressure area and mean velocity on a force platform while participants stood in bipedal and unipedal stances in EO and EC conditions for all three groups. Statistical analyses showed that NAT participants swayed less than CG participants in all conditions and less than REG participants in the bipedal stance with EC and in the unipedal stance, both with EO and EC. Thus, tennis practice/experience may have improved PB in this sample, as high-level tennis players had better PB compared to novices, especially in challenging conditions.

Functional and cognitive responses to caffeine intake in middle-aged women are dose depending.

Middle-aged women display many physiological and cognitive alterations resulting from aging and physical inactivity as well as other changes that occur as a function of menopause. Caffeine consumption is highest in this age with women having a particular greater sensitivity to caffeine than men. Its effects on functional and cognitive functions are controversial and seem to depend on the dose intake. This study aimed to assess the effect of low (100mg) and high (400mg) doses of caffeine consumption on cognitive (simple reaction time) and functional (upper and low body muscle endurance, aerobic endurance and functional mobility) performances. These performances were evaluated in 19 healthy middle-aged women by the 30-Second Chair Stand test for lower body muscle endurance, the 30sec Arm Curl Test for upper body muscle endurance, the 2-Minute Step test for aerobic endurance, The Timed Up and Go test for functional mobility and the simple reaction time test for reaction time, 60min after a treatment capsule intake (100mg caffeine/400mg caffeine/placebo). Low caffeine consumption significantly improved (p<.005) cognitive performance, while high caffeine consumption did not. However, the functional performance significantly improved (p<.05) after high caffeine consumption but not after low caffeine consumption. Except, the functional mobility performance significantly improved (p<.05) after both low and high caffeine consumption with better improvement (p<.05) after the high dose. In conclusion, low caffeine consumption improved cognitive performance and high caffeine consumption improved functional performance but the functional mobility improved after both low and high caffeine consumption in middleaged women.