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Background: Vision, vestibular sense, proprioception and muscle strength are required to maintain balance. However, gender could also play a crucial role in postural sway. Objectives: This study was used to examine (i) the impact of gender, surface type, and vision on postural sway; (ii) the effects of gender and vision on the limb symmetry of postural sway; and (iii) to understand the effects of gender, stance, surface type and vision on the alterations of dynamic postural sway alterations. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which young, healthy men (n = 15) and women (n = 12) underwent a balance control assessment using a force plate (SATEL, 40 Hz). Postural stances were evaluated in different conditions: Opened eyes (EO) and closed eyes (EC), on different surface foam vs. firm, a dominant leg stance (DL) vs. a non-dominant leg stance (NDL), and a mediolateral stance (ML) vs. an anteroposterior stance (AP). The mediolateral sway (ML sway), anteroposterior sway (AP sway), and sway area were calculated from the centre of pressure displacements. Results: ML sway, AP sway and sway area increased when eyes were closed (P < 0.000). Foam surface perturbs balance control more than firm surface under EO and EC conditions for both genders, as observed in the AP sway curve (P < 0.000). A functional symmetry exists between the DL and NDL for all sway parameters: The ML sway, AP sway, and sway area (P = 0.720; P = 0.292; P = 0.954). The AP stance is more stable for the ML sway than the ML stance for both genders (P < 0.001). For the AP sway, the ML stance is more stable than the AP sway AP direction stance for both genders (P < 0.001). Women were significantly more stable than men in the ML stance when vision was absent (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Postural sway was altered more significantly on a foam surface than on a firm surface and symmetry between the DL and NDL was observed. Furthermore, we concluded that women have better dynamic balance control than men.

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of acute of contract–relax (CR) and contract–relax–antagonist–contraction (CRAC) targeting the quadriceps, hamstrings, anterior tibialis, and calf muscles and warm-up without stretching on medio-lateral (ML) and antero-posterior (AP) dynamic balance control in healthy young men applied by a physiotherapist in comparison to a control intervention without stretching. Twenty healthy young men between the age of 18 and 25 performed three interventions in randomized days after standard warm-up: CR intervention, CRAC intervention, and control intervention. ML and AP dynamic balance control was carried out before (Pre) and immediately after (Post) each intervention. Antero-posterior sway (AP sway) and medio-lateral sway (ML sway) under vision and no vision condition were analyzed by posturography. CRAC intervention improved significantly ML dynamic balance control by decreasing ML sway (vision, p = 0.006 and no vision, p

We examine the postural profile and muscular forces of the trunk and inferior members of patients with chronic low back pain.In this study, we include 60 subjects forming two groups: a first group (G1) of 30 patients with chronic low back pain and a second group (G2) of 30 healthy subjects. Every subject profited from an isokinetic evaluation of the muscular forces of the trunk (at 60 and 90°.s(-1)) and knees (at 60 and 120°.s(-1)) and of a postural evaluation. The isokinetic evaluation was carried out using Cybex(®) Norm II dynamometer with its Trunk Extension/Flexion (TEF) module set in concentric mode. The parameter under study was the torque peak. The postural evaluation was accomplished using the platform SATEL for the balance analysis associated with four conditions: static on stable plan open eyes (OE) then closed eyes (CE) and static on unstable plan OE then CE. The parameters under study were the averages of the total lengths, total surfaces, and the X and Y means.The averages of the torque peaks of the trunk flexor and extensor muscles at the speeds of 60 and 90°.s(-1) were inferior in group G1 as compared to G2. The differences were statistically insignificant only for the extensor muscles (p0.005). The averages of the torque peaks of the knee flexors and extensors at 60 and 120°.s(-1) were the lowest in group G1. The differences were significant (p0.05). The averages of postural parameters were more important in group G1, indicating a postural deficit in this group.We showed deficits of the posture and muscles of the trunk and knees of patients with chronic lumbar pain. The muscular deficit of the trunk predominates on extensors.

Resume Objectif Etudier le profil postural et les forces musculaires du tronc et des membres inferieurs chez le lombalgique chronique. Methodes Ont ete inclus dans notre etude 60 sujets repartis en deux groupes : un premier groupe de 30 patients lombalgiques chroniques et un second groupe de 30 sujets sains. Chaque sujet a beneficie d’une evaluation isocinetique des forces musculaires du tronc (a 60 et 90°/s) et des genoux (a 60 et 120°/s) et d’une evaluation posturale. L’evaluation isocinetique a ete realisee par l’appareil Cybex® Norm II associe a son module Trunk Extension/Flexion (TEF) en mode concentrique. Le parametre etudie etait le pic de couple. L’evaluation posturale a ete realisee par la plateforme Satel® dans quatre conditions, statique sur plan stable puis statique sur plan instable yeux ouverts et fermes. Les parametres etudies etaient les moyennes des longueurs et des surfaces totales, et celles de deplacement du centre de pression plantaire sur l’axe lateral et l’axe anteroposterieur. Resultats Les moyennes des pics de couple des muscles flechisseurs et extenseurs du tronc aux vitesses 60 et 90°/s etaient inferieures dans le groupe G1 par rapport au G2. Les differences n’etaient statistiquement significatives que pour les muscles extenseurs (p Conclusion Nous avons objective un deficit postural et des muscles du tronc et des genoux chez les lombalgiques chroniques. Le deficit musculaire du tronc predomine sur les extenseurs.

Objective To study the acute effect of static and dynamic stretching on the knee muscle strength and postural capacity in athletes. Patients and methods Fifteen judokas performed 2 stretching protocols (static and dynamic) on the muscles of both lower limbs with an interval of 48 hours in a random order. An evaluation of the dominant knee muscle strength with an isokinetic dynamometer CybexNormII was performed before and after each stretching protocol in a concentric mode at a speed of 60 and 180°/s. Each athlete was evaluated on the Satel ® plateform in static conditions open and closed eyes in the two trials. This evaluation was performed after a standard warm-up protocol (5 minutes on a bicycle ergometer) and a minute after the stretching protocol. The parameters were monitored: mediolateral (Long X) anterior-posterior deviations (Long Y) of the plantar center of pressure and the total area. Results Five judokas, with mean age of 21.3 ± 2.3 years, mean height of 177.8 ± 8.8 cm, and mean weight of 74.6 ± 14.6 kg participated in this study. We objectified an increase in the mean peak torque (PC) after the dynamic stretching protocol compared to the initial assessment at the speed of 60°/s in both the flexor ( P P = 0.005) muscles. Furthermore, we found a decrease in the PC after the static stretching protocol at the same speed with a statistically significant difference in both flexor ( P P Discussion/Conclusion On one hand, this study confirms the value of dynamic muscle stretching on the gain of the isokinetic strength of the knee muscles. On the other hand, a deterioration of the postural following capacity after both static and dynamic stretching was observed.

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the relations between isokinetic muscle strength of the knee, postural profile and physical function in knee osteoarthritis patients. Material/Patients and methods We included patients with advanced unilateral osteoarthritis (grades III or IV graded radiographically by Lawrence classification). We assessed functional impairment by the WOMAC score in its Arabic version, the strength of the knee muscles by isokinetic dynamometry and postural profile via the Satel ® platform in bipodal and monopodal conditions in open and closed eyes. The parameters were monitored: mediolateral (Long X) and anterior-posterior deviations (Long Y) of plantar center of pressure. Results Twenty patients with the mean age of 55.9 ± 13.0 years were evaluated. We objectified the decrease rating of isokinetic strength parameters of symptomatically knee compared to the healthy side. The mean of peak torque of the knee flexor was 46.3 ± 29.3 Nm on the symptomatic side, against 49.1 ± 34.9 on the healthy side ( P = 0.2). The mean of peak torque of the knee extensor was 61.8 ± 33.8 Nm on the symptomatic side, against 76.4 ± 47.0 Nm on the healthy side ( P = 0.04). We objectified increased postural parameters in monopodal stance on the symptomatic side compared to the healthy side in two conditions open and closed eyes. The average of the Long X in monopodal were respectively 917.1 ± 192.9 and 1472.4 ± 485.2 mm in open and closed eyes conditions of the symptomatic side and 886.8 ± 195.6 and 1303.9 ± 423.0 mm on the healthy side ( P = 0.2). The mean of The WOMAC score was 11.2 ± 3.9. A moderate correlation ( r = −0.54, P = 0.03) between the peak torque of the extensor at 60°/s and long X in monopodal stance in the symptomatic side was objectified. The correlations found between isokinetic strength and functional parameters were low. Discussion/Conclusion A deficit of the symptomatic knee muscles was objectified in our patients. The relations between the muscular and postural parameters were found. The one with the functional capacity was low.

Objective To evaluate trunk and knee muscle strength in patients with chronic sciatica. Patients and method Twenty-eight patients with right-side chronic sciatica (group 1, G1) and 40 healthy controls (group 2, G2) were evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex Norm II). Quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength were evaluated at concentric velocities of 60 and 120°/s and the trunk muscles were evaluated at concentric velocities of 60 and 90°/s. Results G1 comprised 15 women and 13 men (mean ± SD age: 34.787 ± 6.06; weight: 65.85 ± 5.33 kg; height: 165 ± 6.92 cm). G2 comprised 20 women and 20 men (mean ± SD age: 35.92 ± 6.66; weight: 67.07 ± 6.12 kg; height: 165.82 ± 7.65 cm. There were no significant inter-group differences concerning these parameters. In G1, the peak torque values for the trunk extensors were 123.71 ± 32.45 and 108.85 ± 32.07 Newton metres (Nm) at angular velocities of 60 and 90°/s, respectively. In G2, the values were 192.73 ± 64.24 and 168.65 ± 53.96 Nm, respectively. In G1, the peak torque values for the trunk flexors were 134.32 ± 30.77 and 124.39 ± 32.59 Nm at angular velocities of 60 and 90°/s, respectively. In G2, they were 177.44 ± 44.1 and 157.81 ± 39.01 Nm, respectively. The difference between G1 and G2 was statistically significant. The peak torque for the right quadriceps in G1 was 100.03 ± 24.45 and 78.71 ± 22.92 Nm at angular velocities of 60 and 120°/s, respectively. In G2, these values were 160.5 ± 36.34 and 131.05 ± 33.42 Nm. The peak torque for the hamstrings in G1 was 56.42 ± 13.02 and 50 ± 13.55 Nm at angular velocities of 60 and 120°/s, respectively. In G2, these values were 97.77 ± 33.32 and 84.72 ± 31.41 Nm. Again the difference between G1 and G2 was statistically significant. We also noted a statistically significant difference between G1 and G2 in terms of the peak quadriceps and hamstring torque values on the left side. In G1, the quadriceps and hamstrings were significantly weaker on the sciatica side than on the unaffected side. Conclusion The present study demonstrated trunk and knee muscle weakness in patients with chronic sciatica, when compared with healthy subjects. This weakness was predominant on the sciatica side. Consequently, the management of these patients should include a knee muscle reinforcement programme.