The aim of the study was to assess the impact of a vestibular-stimulating exercise regime on postural stability in individuals with visual impairment. The study group consisted of 70 people, including 28 persons (15 female and 13 male) with visual impairment and 42 (21 female and 21 male) without visual impairment. Each individual in the group with visual impairment was medically qualified for a 3-month training program. The research methodology included medical examination, anthropometric tests, and stabilometry tests on a Biodex Balance System SD (BBS). The tests were conducted twice: once before the start of training and again after 3 months of rehabilitation. The group with visual impairment showed significantly worse postural stability results than the control group for most of the stability parameters evaluated (OSI, APSI, and MLSI). Differences were noted between the groups with and without visual impairment for dynamic tests in women and for static tests in men. After training, the two groups showed roughly similar results for the stabilometry test with eyes closed. We conclude that exercises stimulating the vestibular system with head and body movements should be recommended for individuals with visual impairments to achieve better balance retention.

Background:To evaluate the long-term impact of preterm birth on respiratory function in female patients born preterm, we undertook spirometric examinations twice, as they reached the age of puberty, then follow-up examinations of part of the same cohort in adulthood. We sought evidence that preterm birth is correlated with poorer spirometric results into adulthood.Methods:A total of 70 girls (aged 12.2 ± 1.5 years in 1997) who had been born preterm (at 34.7 ± 1.86 weeks, none having experienced bronchopulmonary dysplasia) took part in spriometric examinations in 1997 and again in 1998. Of those, after a gap of 17 years, a group of 12 were successfully recontacted and participated in the 2015 examination as adults (then aged 27.6 ± 2.6 years, born at 34.5 ± 1.92 weeks). We compared spirometric results across the adolescent and adult examinations, and compared the adult results with an adult reference group.Results:The percentage values of FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 s), FVC (forced vital capacity) and MVV (maximal voluntary ventilation) showed significant improvement between the two examinations in the early adolescent period. In adulthood, FEV1%pred (percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s) showed no statistically significant difference. The mean values of both FVC and FVC%pred (percentage predicted forced vital capacity) for the preterm-born group were lower than for the reference group, but this was not statistically significant. The preterm-born group showed lower values of such parameters as forced expiratory flow at 25–75% of FVC, MEF25 (maximal expiratory flow at 25% of forced vital capacity) and FEV1/FVC as compared with the reference group, but again without statistical significance.Conclusions:(1) A somewhat below-norm level of respiratory parameters among preterm-born girls entering pubescence may attest to continued negative impact on their respiratory system.(2) A significant improvement in their spirometric results 1 year later may indicate that pubescence helps compensate for the earlier negative effect of preterm birth.(3) No significant differences were seen in lung function in preterm-born adults as compared with a reference group of adults, although the preterm-born group did exhibit lower values of all parameters studied and more frequent obstructive disorders.

Background. The complexity of the structure and function of a living body can be affected by disorders and can cause various dysfunctions. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine compensatory mechanisms in subjects with drop foot during gait. Methods. The study evaluated 10 subjects with drop foot (DF) whose results were compared to a group of 10 healthy controls (C). Spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters during the gait cycle were collected using Vicon system synchronized with Kistler platforms. Results. Spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters were significantly different between the analysed groups. In the DF group, the subjects walked almost 47% slower and performed 60% less steps per minute compared to the C group. The main problem in the DF group was insufficient ankle dorsiflexion in the 0–10% of the gait cycle. Mean values in the groups during the first 10% of the gait cycle were as follows: DF (−10.42 ± 5.7°) and C (−2.37 ± 1.47°), which affected the substantial differences in the values of muscle torque: DF (0.2 ± 0.1 Nm/kg) and C (−0.26 ± 0.06 Nm/kg). Conclusions. Comparative analysis for joint angles and torques demonstrated that the mechanism of compensation is the most noticeable in the knee joint and less in the hip joint.

Proper body balance plays a significant role in performing motor skills and it depends upon a number of factors. Its level decreases when the reception of visual stimuli is limited. It may affect the choice of sports activities as well as overall performance. This study sought to assess the levels of selected static balance indices in visually impaired goalball players. Competitors who took part in the goalball tournament of the 2012 London Paralympic Games were included in the study (M ¼ 42, F ¼ 23). The athletes were divided into groups taking into account tournament level, disability experience, training experience and training loads. Static balance was assessed using AMTI AccuSway stabilographic platform (ACS Model). The study participants performed the following tests: standing on both feet with eyes open and closed (30 s, single left-and right-leg stance with eyes open, single left-and right-leg stance with eyes closed (10 s). The significance of differences between groups in gender, disability experience, tournament level, training loads and starting class was assessed using Mann-Whitney U test. Significant differences were noted between competitors from teams participating in the preliminary and final rounds and between competitors with training experience of up to and above 10 years. Players participating in the final phase presented a higher level of static balance, but those with longer training experience lower than less experienced athletes. No significant differences were observed in the levels of the analysed variables between males and females and within starting classes. The study revealed the significance of static balance in achieving sporting excellence in goalball.

Low muscle strength appears to increase balance disorders and the tendency to fall. Diagnostic terms indicate that sarcopenia and risks of falling are related. The aim of this study is to verify which diagnostic tools used for the assessment of muscle strength in sarcopenia can be used for fall risk assessment in older women. The study included 56 females [71.77 ± 7.43(SD)]. The results of handgrip strength (HGS) and knee extensors torque [knee extension strength (KES)] were compared to the results of stabilographic parameters from Biodex Balance System platform in static and dynamic environment. The one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation were performed. There were significant differences between groups with low and normal HGS in the chair test, and between groups with low and normal KES in the fall risk index, FRI12-6 and chair test (P < 0.05). Static parameters did not differentiate groups, due to a muscle strength of the upper and lower limbs. There was a statistically significant difference in FRI12-6 values between participants with low and normal KES in age groups (P = 0.047). No differences were found in FRI12-6 values between participants with low and normal HGS in age groups (P = 0.949). Statistical analysis showed differences in FRI12-6 between fallers with low KES and non-fallers with normal KES, non-fallers with low KES and non-fallers with normal KES. Results of the study show that there is diagnostic dependence in muscle strength of lower limbs and risk of falls in older women. KES and chair test can be used in fall risk assessment for older women.

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Exercises stimulating the vestibular organ, such as those described herein, should be a part of efforts to improve balance in older people.

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