Ground surface nature can influence visual information contribution in postural control.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In sport, the nature of ground surface is likely to influence the contribution of visual information on postural control. Boxing and wrestling are respectively practiced on firm and soft ground surfaces. The aim was to compare the postural control of boxers with that of wrestlers on stable (firm) and unstable (soft and dynamic) ground surfaces, with and without deprivation of vision. METHODS: Fifteen male international boxers and 15 male international wrestlers presenting the same anthropometrics characteristics and the same number of years of sports practice were recruited. Spatiotemporal parameters of displacement of the center of feet pressure (COP) were measured on a force platform in static (firm and foam surfaces with eyes open and eyes closed) and dynamic conditions (medio/lateral and antero-posterior directions with eyes open and eyes closed). RESULTS: The results mainly showed a significant vision × group interaction in the antero-posterior direction for the dynamic postural condition (P<0.017). This indicated that the contribution of visual information was greater for the boxers than for the wrestlers in challenging condition (P=0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are needed to confirm whether the nature of ground surface influences the contribution of visual information, which can be, in turn, affected by the specificity of motor skills.