The effect of circus activity training on postural control of 5–6-year-old children

Summary: Objectives: The purpose of the present study is to assess the effect of circus activity training on postural control of 5–6-year old children. Material and methods: Two groups of 5–6-year old children (12 practicing circus activities and 12 controls) voluntarily participated in this study. Children were asked to stand as still as possible on a force platform with eyes open and closed in a static posture and in two dynamic postures (in the sagittal or frontal plane). Postural control was assessed with centre of pressure excursions. Results: The results revealed that Circus group children have significant (P <.05) better postural control than controls. The significant (P <.05) effect of postural task difficulty on postural control was similar for both groups. Removal of vision decreases significantly (P <.05) the postural control of both groups similarly in all postures. This effect increased significantly (P <.05) when the difficulty of the postural task increased. Conclusion: Our results suggest that 2years of experience in circus activity training improves postural control of 5–6-year old children. Nevertheless, this effect could not nullify the common effect of removing vision on postural control of these children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]