Effect on the Limit of Stability of the Lowered Center of Mass With a Weight Belt
Background: The consequences of falls are often debilitating, and prevention is important. In theory, the lower the center of mass (COM), the greater postural stability during standing, and a weight belt at the waist level may help to lower the COM and improve the standing balance. Objects: We e...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Korean Research Society of Physical Therapy
2020-05-01
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| Series: | Physical Therapy Korea |
| Subjects: |
| Summary: | Background: The consequences of falls are often debilitating, and prevention is important.
In theory, the lower the center of mass (COM), the greater postural stability during standing,
and a weight belt at the waist level may help to lower the COM and improve the standing
balance.
Objects: We examined how the limit of stability (LOS) was affected by the lowered center of
mass with the weight belt.
Methods: Twenty healthy individuals participated in the LOS test. After calculating each
participant’s COM, a weight belt was fastened ten centimeters below the COM. Trials were
acquired with five weight belt conditions: 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% of body weight. Outcome
measures included reaction time, movement velocity, endpoint excursion, maximum
excursion, and directional control in 4 cardinal moving directions.
Results: None of our outcome variables were associated with a weight belt (p > 0.075), but
all of them were associated with moving direction (p < 0.01). On average, movement velocity
of the COM and maximum excursion were 31% and 18% greater, respectively, in mediolateral
than anteroposterior direction (5.4°/s vs. 4.1°/s; 97.5% vs. 82.6%).
Conclusion: Our results suggest that postural stability was not affected by the weightinduced
lowered COM, informing the development and improvement of balance training
strategies. |
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| ISSN: | 1225-8962 2287-982X |