Dynamic and Static Postural Control in Volleyball Players with Transfemoral Amputation

Abstract

Introduction: A decrease in postural control and proprioception is a common result of lower limb amputation. However, postural control adaptation in Paralympic sitting volleyball players with lower limb amputation is not yet understood. Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional controlled study was to investigate static and dynamic postural control in sitting volleyball players with unilateral transfemoral amputation. Methods: Sixteen subjects participated in the study, eight of whom were amputees with unilateral transfemoral amputation (amputee group: age: 33.5 ± 5.6 years, weight: 77.7 ± 5.3 kg, height: 179.4 ± 5.3 cm) and eight physically active non-amputees (control group age: 27.2 ± 8.4 years, weight: 82.7 ± 6.6 kg, height: 178.7 ± 6.1 cm). Static and dynamic postural control was evaluated using the Neurocom® Balance Master System platform (Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, Limits of Stability, Rhythmic Weight Shift, Sit-to-Stand, Walk Across, and Step and Quick Turn). Statistical analyses were performed with the Shapiro-Wilk test, Levene's test, and Student's t-test for paired samples (p <0.05). Results: The amputee group demonstrated impaired postural control in all tests when compared to the control group (p <.05) for all postural tests except for the rhythmic change and sit-to-stand tests (p >.05). Conclusion: Despite training in sitting volleyball, our results demonstrated that amputees have poorer postural control in both static and dynamic tasks when compared to physically active non-amputees. Level of Evidence II; Prognostic Studies—Investigating the Effect of a Patient Characteristic on Disease Outcome / Retrospectivef Study.

Postural Control during Progressively Increased Balance-Task Difficulty in Athletes with Unilateral Transfemoral Amputation: Effect of Ocular Mobility and Visuomotor Processing

“…Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze: (1) postural stability during single leg stance test with progressively increased balance-task difficulty in amputee soccer players compared to able-bodied soccer players; and (2) the relationship between visuomotor processing efficiency and oculomotor function to static and dynamic balance performance in amputee soccer players. In accordance with previous reports [ 1 , 10 ], it was expected that postural control in amputee soccer players may be impaired in comparison to able-bodied controls. In line with previous findings suggesting that eye movement strategies are important in balance control [ 20 , 21 , 22 ], and that visuomotor reaction time makes a significant contribution to postural stability [ 23 , 24 ], we hypothesized that high efficiency of oculomotor and visuomotor reaction will be associated with better balance control in amputee soccer players.…”

“…On the one hand, previous studies have shown that participation in sports and/or regular physical activity has a positive effect on many aspects of amputee physical health, including cardiopulmonary, muscle strength, anaerobic power, balance and body composition [ 18 , 29 , 30 , 31 ], as well as social and psychological aspects of well-being [ 32 , 33 ]. On the other hand, it has been reported that sitting volleyball players with unilateral transfemoral amputation demonstrated poorer postural control in both static and dynamic tasks when compared to physically active non-amputees [ 1 ]. It seems that the main explanation of our study results may be the specificity of the sport activity.…”

“…Postural control is one of the most highly affected functional abilities in lower limb amputees [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Usually, postural control has been characterized as the act of maintaining, achieving or restoring a state of balance during any posture or activity [ 5 ].…”

Symmetry function in gait pattern analysis in patients after unilateral transfemoral amputation using a mechanical or microprocessor prosthetic knee

“…These asymmetries are often considered to be a consequence of a pathology in which a patient compensates for movements to avoid pain or because of the desire to align the asymmetrical gait pattern [9]. According to research, the degree of gait symmetry of individuals who underwent unilateral AKA is influenced by the cause of amputation [10,11], level of physical activity [12,13] or type of prosthesis [14][15][16][17]. The key elements of the lower limb prosthesis are a well-fitted prosthetic socket and prosthetic knee joint module.…”