Improvement of dynamic postural stability by an exercise program

BackgroundCentral processing of multi-sensory feedback and motor commands responsible for force production are critical for postural control. An exercise program was developed to realign spinal curvature, but its effect on postural control is unknown.Research QuestionTo what extent would the exercise program influence on center of pressure (CoP) sway on stable and unstable surfaces?MethodsSubjects (n = 30) were randomly assigned into one of three groups: exercise on a cylinder-shaped tube (98-cm length, 15-cm diameter, n = 10), exercise on a flat surface (n = 10), and a control group that laid supine on a flat surface (n = 10). Standing posture of each subject was quantified using anterior-, posterior-, and lateral-view photography. Each subject’s CoP sway was measured while standing on a static and dynamic platform with eyes open and eyes closed. Subjects were instructed to stand still when the platform was held stationary (e.g., no tilt) during the static condition. During the dynamic condition the platform was allowed to tilt in response to changes of CoP and subjects were instructed to maintain the platform in a horizontal position.ResultsOnly when subjects performed the exercise program on the tube, the angles of neck flexion and pelvis tilt decreased, and CoP sway in the sagittal, but not frontal plane, decreased during the dynamic platform conditions with both eyes open and eyes closed (p < 0.05).SignificanceIt is speculated that performing the exercise program on the tube might enhance a) central processing of somatosensory and vestibular inputs, b) motor commands responsible for force production in postural control, and c) biomechanical advantage by the realigned posture. The exercise program can be used by a variety of populations as home-exercise to realign the neck and pelvic posture and improve dynamic postural stability.