[Influence of obesity on postural capacities of teenagers. Preliminary study]

Ann Readapt Med Phys. 2003 May;46(4):184-90. doi: 10.1016/s0168-6054(03)00059-x.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this work was to define the influence of obesity on static postural control of teenagers.

Subjects and method: Nine obese subjects and seven non-obese subjects were characterised with stabilometric data of surface, of lengths and spontaneous sway in the lateral (X) and antero-posterior (Y) axis with open eyes and closed eyes in two conditions on firm floor and foam floor condition.

Results: For length data, significative differences were observed between the two groups for the opened eyes condition (p < 0.02) and eyes closed (p < 0.03) during foam floor condition.

Conclusion: During experimental solicitations, obesity influences significatively the postural control of teenagers. Instead of systematic statistic differences, we observed a decrease in balance capacities of obese subjects. The effects of fat tissue distributions were not verified.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Body Composition
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Postural Balance*
  • Posture*