Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of introducing a new activity-based balance index using a triaxial accelerometer during activity. Methods: Twenty seven soccer players (age: 14.5 ± 0.4 years old, body mass: 58.3 ± 9.3 kg, height: 172 ± 8 cm) who participated in the national premier league were recruited. The participants were tested for their balance, activity, and skill in four tests: (I) one leg stance; (II) dynamic Y balance; (III) running; and (IV) dribbling slalom. The acceleration of the body was recorded using an accelerometer during those tests. By processing acceleration data, a new activity-based balance index (ABI) was calculated based on the velocity, acceleration, and position index of soccer players. Using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), reliability was calculated. Results: Reliability was high (ICC = 0.87 - 0.89; 95% CI = 0.77 - 0.93) in calculating ABI for the three activities performed in the tests. A significant positive correlation between ABI and both static and dynamic balance scores (r = 0.62, P = 0.002) was observed. Furthermore, negative correlation was found significantly between ABI and dribbling scores (r = -0.61, P = 0.026) and Y Balance test (r = 0.6, P = 0.002). Conclusions: In conclusion, the introduced ABI demonstrates great potential to determine balance and skill scores based on accelerometer-based measures.
Objectives: Improving balance and motor function in the elderly for preventing falling and its irreparable consequences has attracted the attention of many researchers in the field of aging. The purpose of the present is to investigate the effect of an exercise program based on Anticipatory Postural Adjustments (APAs) on postural control and motor function of the elderly. Methods & Materials: In this experimental study conducted in 2017, the study population consists of 38 eligible male elderly people with a history of falls at least once in the last six months living in Isfahan, Iran in two groups: 18 in the test group (mean age =70.4±3.2, mean height=65.3±6.2 cm, mean weight= 65.3±4.2 kg) and 15 in the control group (mean age =69.6±3.1 years, mean height =167±5.5 cm, mean weight =67.3±6.8). A foot-scan device was used to measure their postural control, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was taken to measure their motor function. Data were analyzed in SPSS v. 20 software using repeated measures ANOVA at the significance level of P≤0.05. Results: The exercise program significantly improved the mean postural control scores in anterior/posterior direction from 28.1±6.2 to 20.5±2.4 (F=8.21, P≤0.05), in medial/lateral direction from 17.1±1.5 to 13.2±2.9 (F=13.4, P≤0.05), and in overall from 312.4±21.2 to 285.8±17.5 (F=10.02, P≤0.05); It also improved the mean TUG test score from 13.3±2.1 to 10.1±1.0 (F=16.02, P≤0.05). The experimental group showed a better performance than the control group after exercise in TUG test and postural control parameters (P≤0.05). Conclusion: An 8-week exercise program focused on APAs can be effective in improving postural control and motor function of the elderly.
The aim of this study was to introduce a new activity-based balance index by using accelerometer data. Twenty-seven junior soccer players from the Iranian premier league were selected. Four functional tests, consisting of one leg stance, dynamic Y balance, running and dribbling tests, were conducted to assess the players’ balance, activity and skill. During these four tests, besides their relative scores, the acceleration of their body center was also recorded. Activity-based balance index (ABI) was calculated using these acceleration data. The results showed positive correlations between ABI and both static and dynamic balance scores. Additionally, negative correlations were found between ABI and dribbling scores, which demonstrate the agility required for this skill. It seems that this new index achieves the evaluation of both the balance and the skill level of soccer players. Perhaps this is a new way of talent identification and also a re-development of balance tests from traditional to modern.
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