Correlates of Balance and Aerobic Indices in Lower-Limb Prostheses Users on Arm Crank Exercise

Background: The HUMAC Balance System (HBS) offers valid measurement of balance, and the arm crank exercise test (ACE) is a valid measure of physiological capacity. Neither have been used to evaluate associations between balance and physiological capacity in lower-limb amputees. Methods: Thirty-five...

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Main Authors: Gary Guerra, John D. Smith
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-10-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/20/6917
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author Gary Guerra
John D. Smith
author_facet Gary Guerra
John D. Smith
author_sort Gary Guerra
collection DOAJ
description Background: The HUMAC Balance System (HBS) offers valid measurement of balance, and the arm crank exercise test (ACE) is a valid measure of physiological capacity. Neither have been used to evaluate associations between balance and physiological capacity in lower-limb amputees. Methods: Thirty-five participants with lower-limb amputations were recruited. Standing balance (center of pressure) was evaluated during eyes opened (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions using the HBS. Participants performed ACE graded exercise testing (GXT) to evaluate aerobic capacity. Spearman’s <i>rho</i> was used to identify relationships between variables. Cut-points for three groups were generated for time on ACE. Mann–Whitney <i>U</i> tests were used to explore significant differences in variables of balance and ACE between low and high performers. Results: Relationships between variables of eyes open displacement (EOD), eyes open velocity (EOV), eyes closed displacement (ECD), and eyes closed velocity (ECV) were significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and high performers with EO also performed best with EC. Longer exercise times were significantly associated with increased HR<sub>peak</sub>, VO<sub>2peak</sub>, VE<sub>peak</sub>, and RER<sub>peak</sub> (<i>p</i> < 0.05). HR<sub>peak</sub> (143.0 ± 30.6 b/min), VO<sub>2peak</sub> (22.7 ± 7.9 and 10.6 ± 4.7 mL/kg/min), VE<sub>peak</sub> (80.2 ± 22.2 and 33.2 ± 12.7 L/min), and RER<sub>peak</sub> (1.26 ± 0.08 and 1.13 ± 0.11) were significantly greater in high performers than low performers, respectively (<i>p</i> < 0.05). There was no significant association among VO<sub>2peak</sub> and any balance task variables; however, there were significant associations between some balance and physiological variables. Conclusions: Findings differentiated high and low performers; however, participants were still well below able-bodied norms of physical capacity. Training to mitigate deconditioning is suggested.
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spelling doaj.art-bae50af7eb74416cb2f1cf3fb13707422023-11-22T19:59:30ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202021-10-012120691710.3390/s21206917Correlates of Balance and Aerobic Indices in Lower-Limb Prostheses Users on Arm Crank ExerciseGary Guerra0John D. Smith1Sirindhorn School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, ThailandDepartment of Counseling, Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78244, USABackground: The HUMAC Balance System (HBS) offers valid measurement of balance, and the arm crank exercise test (ACE) is a valid measure of physiological capacity. Neither have been used to evaluate associations between balance and physiological capacity in lower-limb amputees. Methods: Thirty-five participants with lower-limb amputations were recruited. Standing balance (center of pressure) was evaluated during eyes opened (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions using the HBS. Participants performed ACE graded exercise testing (GXT) to evaluate aerobic capacity. Spearman’s <i>rho</i> was used to identify relationships between variables. Cut-points for three groups were generated for time on ACE. Mann–Whitney <i>U</i> tests were used to explore significant differences in variables of balance and ACE between low and high performers. Results: Relationships between variables of eyes open displacement (EOD), eyes open velocity (EOV), eyes closed displacement (ECD), and eyes closed velocity (ECV) were significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and high performers with EO also performed best with EC. Longer exercise times were significantly associated with increased HR<sub>peak</sub>, VO<sub>2peak</sub>, VE<sub>peak</sub>, and RER<sub>peak</sub> (<i>p</i> < 0.05). HR<sub>peak</sub> (143.0 ± 30.6 b/min), VO<sub>2peak</sub> (22.7 ± 7.9 and 10.6 ± 4.7 mL/kg/min), VE<sub>peak</sub> (80.2 ± 22.2 and 33.2 ± 12.7 L/min), and RER<sub>peak</sub> (1.26 ± 0.08 and 1.13 ± 0.11) were significantly greater in high performers than low performers, respectively (<i>p</i> < 0.05). There was no significant association among VO<sub>2peak</sub> and any balance task variables; however, there were significant associations between some balance and physiological variables. Conclusions: Findings differentiated high and low performers; however, participants were still well below able-bodied norms of physical capacity. Training to mitigate deconditioning is suggested.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/20/6917amputeeaerobic capacityarm crank exercisecenter of pressureprostheticsbalance
spellingShingle Gary Guerra
John D. Smith
Correlates of Balance and Aerobic Indices in Lower-Limb Prostheses Users on Arm Crank Exercise
Sensors
amputee
aerobic capacity
arm crank exercise
center of pressure
prosthetics
balance
title Correlates of Balance and Aerobic Indices in Lower-Limb Prostheses Users on Arm Crank Exercise
title_full Correlates of Balance and Aerobic Indices in Lower-Limb Prostheses Users on Arm Crank Exercise
title_fullStr Correlates of Balance and Aerobic Indices in Lower-Limb Prostheses Users on Arm Crank Exercise
title_full_unstemmed Correlates of Balance and Aerobic Indices in Lower-Limb Prostheses Users on Arm Crank Exercise
title_short Correlates of Balance and Aerobic Indices in Lower-Limb Prostheses Users on Arm Crank Exercise
title_sort correlates of balance and aerobic indices in lower limb prostheses users on arm crank exercise
topic amputee
aerobic capacity
arm crank exercise
center of pressure
prosthetics
balance
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/20/6917
work_keys_str_mv AT garyguerra correlatesofbalanceandaerobicindicesinlowerlimbprosthesesusersonarmcrankexercise
AT johndsmith correlatesofbalanceandaerobicindicesinlowerlimbprosthesesusersonarmcrankexercise