Sport-Specific Habitual Adaptations in Neck Kinesthetic Functions Are Related to Balance Controlling Mechanisms

Abstract

Whilst the importance of trunk, lower and upper extremities for the efficiency of maintaining body sway is well documented, the effects of cervical spine function have been seldom investigated. Afferent information from high density proprioceptors located in the cervical spine can alter postural balance, however the effects of sport’s specific habitual adaptation on balance performance have not yet been investigated. Twenty-seven taekwondo fighters and thirty controls performed unilateral balance tasks while facing forward and during neck torsion balance test while standing on the force plate. Neck kinesthesia was measured with the Head-to-Neutral Relocation test and the Butterfly test with motion-inertial unit. Differences between balance tasks were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. Additionally, correlations between body sway parameters and neck kinesthesia were studied using Pearson correlation coefficient. No differences were found between forward facing and neck torsion balance tasks in taekwondo fighters. However, correlations were found between balance on the non-preferred leg and neck kinesthesia. On the contrary, healthy individuals presented with statistically significant differences between both balance tasks and correlations between balance and neck kinesthesia. Taekwondo fighters seem to present with habitual adaptations in balance control, that differ from non-trained individuals.

Relationship between Cervicocephalic Kinesthetic Sensibility Measured during Dynamic Unpredictable Head Movements and Eye Movement Control or Postural Balance in Neck Pain Patients

“…Although the literature implies that the aforementioned aspects of sensorimotor control present different functional characteristics [ 23 ], some evidence exists that suggests they are interrelated [ 3 ]. Recent articles describe existing correlations between postural balance, eye movement control and dynamic cervicocephalic kinesthesia [ 19 , 24 ]. However, this relationship was only studied in healthy athletes where habitual postural adaptations were proposed as possible reason for asymmetrical tonic activity of neck muscles, causing sensory mismatch.…”

Cervicocephalic kinaesthesia reveals novel subgroups of motor control impairments in patients with neck pain

“…Cervical movement sense test was performed using The Butterfly method described in detail elsewhere 51 , 52 . During the test, the goal of each patient was to track an unpredictably moving target with their head and neck as accurately as possible.…”

Dynamic Population on Bio-Inspired Algorithms Using Machine Learning for Global Optimization

“…This has led to algorithms that not only navigate but also effectively map the increasingly complex solution spaces [ 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Swarm-based optimization, notably particle swarm and ant colony optimization, has similarly advanced, now boasting enhanced capabilities for identifying global optima and skirting local optima—critical features in dynamic and unpredictable environments [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”

“…Such integrative approaches have harnessed the adaptability of metaheuristics with the predictive power of machine learning to produce systems that dynamically adjust their search mechanisms, enhancing problem-solving in real-time. This fusion has not only improved algorithmic efficiency but has also broadened the scope of their application, enabling the tackling of previously elusive problems and adeptly handling the uncertainties and complexities of real-world systems [ 25 , 30 , 43 ].…”