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Effect of induced fatigue on dynamic postural balance in healthy young adults

Abstract

Background

Fatigue may impair the proprioceptive and kinesthetic properties of joints and has been shown to have a negative effect on neuromuscular control, thus increasing the risk for injury.

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the effect of induced whole-body fatigue on dynamic balance control in healthy young adults.

Participants and methods

Thirty healthy young participants of both sexes were included in this study; their ages ranged between 18 and 22 years. All of the participants were tested on the Biodex Stability System ( BSS) at a stability level 4, subjected to induced fatigue on a treadmill, and then retested directly on the BSS again to evaluate dynamic postural balance.

Results

There was a significant decrease in the overall stability index, anteroposterior stability index, and mediolateral stability index of dynamic balance at stability level 4 of BSS in healthy young adults as P-values were 0.0001, 0.0001, and 0.0001, respectively.

Conclusion and implication

It was concluded that induced whole-body fatigue decreased the dynamic postural balance (overall stability index, anteroposterior stability index, and mediolateral stability index) in healthy young adults. This implies that muscles of a fatigued individual are at increased risk for musculoskeletal injury, and steps should be taken during conditioning and rehabilitation programs to prevent muscle fatigue through balance training and endurance exercises to avoid disturbed balance related to fatigue among young healthy adults.

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Correspondence to Enas E. Abutaleb.

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Abutaleb, E.E., Mohamed, A.H. Effect of induced fatigue on dynamic postural balance in healthy young adults. Bull Fac Phys Ther 20, 161–167 (2015). https://doi.org/10.4103/1110-6611.174699

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