The effect of sleep deprivation on postural stability among physically active young adults.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of sleep deprivation on postural stability among physically active young adults. The study involved 22 physical education students. Average velocities and spatial distribution of the center of pressure displacements were taken as indicators of postural stability (double and one-leg standing). Two-way ANOVA with two factors of repeated measurements-"session" (control-experimental) and "daytime" (evening-morning)-was used. For indicators of the spatial distribution of the center of pressure in double stance with eyes open and eyes closed, and for average velocities for measurements with eyes closed, statistically significant interaction effects were found (at least p < 0.01, ƞ2 > 0.36, power statistics > 0.90) with the general tendency of higher results in the morning in the session with sleep deprivation than in the control session. In one-leg standing, an increase of average velocities was observed in the control session, and no differences in the session with sleep deprivation (interaction effect: at least p < 0.01, ƞ2 > 0.37, power statistics > 0.90). Besides spatial distribution indicators in double stance, there were no statistical differences between evening-morning tests in the session with sleep deprivation. Despite significant interaction effects, only the results of spatial distribution indicators in double stance were higher in the morning than in the evening in the session with sleep deprivation. So, no clear decline in postural stability after sleep deprivation was observed. This may suggest that sleep deprivation prevents natural regeneration rather than significantly worsening postural stability among physically active adults. It's possible that systematic physical activity might be one of the factors decreasing the risk of accidents among people exposed to sleep deprivation.

The Effect of Nordic Walking Training with Poles with an Integrated Resistance Shock Absorber on the Body Balance of Women over the Age of 60.

The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the balance of healthy, elderly women as a result of Nordic walking training using of two types of poles: classic poles, and poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber. Thirty-four women completed the experiment (Age = 66.8 ± 4.1 years). They were randomly assigned into the experimental group-training with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber-EG (n = 17), and the control active group-training with classic poles-CG (n = 17). Body balance was measured with Romberg sharpened test and using the AccuGait ™ force platform before and after an intervention lasting for 8 weeks (2 training sessions × 75 min per week). In ANOVA analysis, the Romberg sharpened test showed a statistically significant effect of "time" (F = 18.62, p < 0.001, ɳ2 = 0.37). No interaction effect or clear "time" effect was observed in the ANOVA analysis for the results of posturographic tests (p > 0.05). The lack of pre-post differences in posturographic tests indicates that further research is necessary, where, e.g., there are extended intervention times and more difficult examination tasks are performed. In the case of the Romberg test, both groups improved their results, which may indicate an improvement in perception and processing of sensory information, regardless of the type of training applied.

The Effects of Cognitive Task and Change of Height on Postural Stability and Cardiovascular Stress in Workers Working at Height.

The purpose of the study was to analyze the effects of cognitive task and change of height on the postural stability and cardiovascular stress of at-height workers. The study included 32 healthy men aged 25-47. Due to the type of work performed, two groups were identified: at‒height workers, HW (n = 16), and office workers (mainly work at desk with a computer) OW (n = 16). The objective measures of postural stability (posturography) and cardiovascular stress (heart rate monitor) were evaluated for both groups at two different platform heights (ground level and 1 m above the ground) with or without cognitive task (backward counting). The increased height and the cognitive task were found to significantly affect measures of postural stability and cardiovascular stress. It was observed that in inexperienced OW employees, higher platform height and performing a cognitive task meant that posture stability significantly decreased, while cardiovascular stress and difficulties in maintaining balance increased. In HW group postural stability is less affected by distress conditions than in OW group.

The Influence of Proprioceptive Training with the Use of Virtual Reality on Postural Stability of Workers Working at Height.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of proprioceptive training with the use of virtual reality (VR) on the level of postural stability of high-altitude workers. Twenty-one men working at height were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG) with training (n = 10) and control group (CG) without training (n = 11). Path length of the displacement of the center of pressure (COP) signal and its components in the anteroposterior and medial-lateral directions were measured with use of an AccuGaitTM force plate before and after intervention (6 weeks, 2 sessions × 30 min a week). Tests were performed at two different platform heights, with or without eyes open and with or without a dual task. Two-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant interaction effects for low-high threat, eyes open-eyes closed, and single task-dual task. Post-training values of average COP length were significantly lower in the EG than before training for all analyzed parameters. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the use of proprioceptive training with use of VR can support, or even replace, traditional methods of balance training.

The Effect of Nordic Walking Training with Poles with an Integrated Resistance Shock Absorber on the Functional Fitness of Women over the Age of 60.

Inadequate levels of physical activity among older people lead to a gradual decline in self-reliance and consequent dependence on other people. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of Nordic walking training with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber on the functional fitness of older women. Forty-two women (Mage = 64.7 ± 3.15 years) were randomly assigned into the experimental group-training with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber, EG (n = 21) and the control active group-training with classic poles, CG (n = 21). Functional fitness was measured with the Senior Fitness Test before and after an intervention lasting for 8 weeks (2 training sessions × 75 minutes per week). Two-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant interaction effects for aerobic endurance (F = 14.47, p < 0.001) and upper body strength (F = 5.98, p < 0.05), indicating greater improvement in the experimental group. Nordic walking training both with classic poles and with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber is beneficial for older people and improves functional fitness over a short time period. However, the poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber provide additional resistance effort during marching, which causes increased muscle activation and results in improved muscle strength and aerobic endurance. Based on these results, it can be concluded that this kind of training could be applied in the complex health programs of seniors.