This study sought to identify a balance test or combination of tests that would efficiently predict Olympic Balance Beam performance. Of interest, too, was the effect previous experience might have on the performance of standardized and modified balance tests. In order to determine if height affected balance performance and would therefore be an element to consider in teaching methods and progressions, the Bass Stick Test and Sideward Leap Test were raised to a height of three feet and eleven inches.

In North America ice hockey is considered to be the fastest of all teamsports with high demands on leg strength and power. These two factors are crucial for acceleration and the total speed performance during a hockeygame. Skating performance requires a muscle engagement which also occurs during the Y-Balance Test (YBT). Some of the most active muscles during ice skating are biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and vastus medialis , these muscles are also some of the most active muscles during the YBT. The similarities between those two activities enable a possible relationship between skating velocity and YBT. This study investigated the relationship between dynamic postural control and on ice performance which includes 52 meter forward skating. The purpose of this study was to see if there is a significant correlation between skating velocity and the performance on YBT. Methods: 7 male ice hockey players in ages between 18-19 years performed a 52 meter forward skating test and a test for evaluating their dynamic postural control. The method used for measuring the dynamic postural control was the YBT. Results: There was no significant correlation between the YBT longitudinal directions, the total score and 52 meter forward skating. The strongest association (0,570) was shown between the YBT anterior longitudinal direction and 52 meter forward skating. The total score on YBT did not show a significant correlation with 52 meter forward skating, with a correlationcoefficient of 0,251. Conclusion: Due to several management errors during the YBT the results showed no significance. We can not for certain say that there is no significant correlation due to for instance management errors and the deficiency pf power. Future studies are needed to determine if there is a significant correlation between skating velocity and the performance on YBT.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-11-13Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:11:55Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 pinheiro_rm_me_botfm.pdf: 223851 bytes, checksum: 1dc74a346247bb44602b731511799dc6 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A avaliação do equilíbrio do idoso morador da comunidade pode ser realizada usando testes práticos do equilíbrio e da sensibilidade cutânea plantar. Verificar a ocorrência de desequilíbrio e perda da sensibilidade táctil plantar, observar se ocorre associação entre estas alterações e se a realização conjunta dos testes de equilíbrio e da sensibilidade plantar aumenta a precisão da avaliação. Serie de casos compreendendo 45 idosos testados através da escala de equilíbrio de Berg e do teste da sensibilidade cutânea plantar com monofilamentos de nylon. Foram utilizados os testes do qui quadrado, e exato de Fisher e elaboradas curvas ROC para estudo da sensibilidade e especificidade do teste de Berg. Idosos com alteração do equilíbrio e da sensibilidade plantar foram em número de 2 e de 4, respectivamente. Houve associação significante entre queixa de desequilíbrio e sensibilidade (p = 0,047) e houve concordância razoável (Kappa = 0,6457) entre a escala de Berg e o teste da sensibilidade, assim como verificou-se associação significativa entre 6 das 14 tarefas da escala e o teste da sensibilidade plantar. Idosos com vida independente na comunidade, em sua grande maioria, apresentam equilíbrio e sensibilidade cutânea plantar normais, havendo indícios de que as alterações destas funções estão associadas. A realização de testes práticos do equilíbrio e da sensibilidade cutânea plantar aumenta a precisão da avaliação do estado do equilíbrio do idoso. / Balance assessment in community-dwelling elderly can be performed by using clinical balance and plantar cutaneous sensation tests. To evaluate the occurrence of inbalance and loss of plantar tactile sensitivity as well as to observe the occurence of association between such alterations and whether the consoint performing of these tests increase the accuracy of the evaluation. A series of cases comprising 45 elderly individuals tested by the Berg balance scale and the plantar cutaneous sensation test with nylon monofilaments. Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact tests were used and ROC curves were designed to study the sensitivity and specificity of the Berg test. Two and 4 individuals showed alteration in balance and plantar sensation, respectively. There was a significant association between inbalance complaints and sensitivity (p = 0.047), and there was reasonable agreement (Kappa = 0.6457) between the Berg scale and the sensitivity test. A significant association was also found among 6 of the 14 tasks in the Berg scale and the plantar sensitivity test. Most of the elderly individuals leading an independent life in the community showed normal balance and plantar cutaneous sensation, and there was evidence that alterations in these functions are associated. The performance of practical balance and plantar cutaneous sensations tests increases accuracy in the evaluation of elderly individuals’ balance conditions.

Bakgrund: Medvetenhet om kropp och rörelse nämns ofta som en viktig fakor i att öka prestationsförmåga, undvika skador, nå högre livskvalitet och förbätta sjukdomstillstånd. Det har länge funnits ambitioner att förbättra rörelse genom ökad medvetenhet. Feldenkraismetoden är en metod för att förbättra rörelse genom förhöjd rörelsemedvetenhet och är förenlig med nutida vetenskap men förhållandevis lite empirisk forskning stöder metodens effektivitet. De flesta tidigare studier har varit på någon form av dysfunktion och ofta subjektiv upplevelse snarare än objektiva värden. Det har varit svårt för Feldenkraispedagoger att finna rätt mätmetoder för att utvärdera metoden. Syfte: Studiens syfte är att utvärdera effekten av träning för ökad rörelsemedvetenhet enligt Feldenkraismetoden på rörelse hos friska personer genom kvantitativ mätning. Metod: Friska kvinnor i en experimentgrupp (n=4, 30±7 år) och en kontrollgrupp (n=4, 26±2 år) testades med fem kvantitativa rörelsetester; one-leg standing balance, one-leg standing long jump, standing triple jump, star excursion balance test och upper quarter Y-balance test, innan och efter en intervention ledd av en auktoriserad Feldenkraispedagog där experimentgruppen genomgick tio träningsfällen enligt Feldenkraismetoden under fem veckors tid. Resultat: Signifikant förbättring (P≤0,05) i förhållande till både förtest och kontrollgrupp sågs vid star excursion balance test för vänster ben. Slutsats: Träning för ökad rörelsemedvetenhet enligt Feldenkraismetoden verkar kunna leda till förbättring i kvantitativt mätt rörelse hos friska kvinnor. Vidare forskning med fler deltagare är nödvändig för att bättre besvara hypotesen att träning för ökad rörelsemedvetenhet genom en intervention med Feldenkraismetoden leder till förbättrade resultat i de utvalda testerna hos friska personer. / Background: Awareness of body and movement is often mentioned as an important factor in increasing performance ability, avoiding injury, reaching a higher quality of life and improving conditions of illness. There has long been an ambition to improve movement through increased awareness. The Feldenkrais method is a method for improving movement through increased movement-awareness and is compatible with modern science. but comparatively little empirical research supports the methods effectivity. Most earlier studies have been on subjects with some form of dysfunction and often on subjective experience rather than objective measurements. It has been challenging for Feldenkrais-practitioners to find suitable ways of measurement for evaluating the method. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of training for increased movement-awareness according to the Feldenkrais method on movement in healthy subjects by quantitative measurements. Method: Healthy women in an experiment-group (n=4, 30±7 years) and a control-group (n=4, 26±2 years) were tested with five quantitative movement-tests; one-leg standing balance, one-leg standing long jump, standing triple jump, star excursion balance test and upper quarter Y-balance test, before and after an intervention where the experiment-group went through ten training sessions according to the Feldenkrais method during five weeks time. Results: Significant improvement (P≤0,05) in comparison to both pre-test and change in the control-group was seen for star excursion balance test of the left leg. Conclusion: Training for increased movement-awareness according to the Feldenkrais method seem to be able to improve quantitatively measured movement in healthy women. Further research with more participants is necessary to better answer the hypothesis that training for increased movement-awareness in accordance with the Feldenkrais method leads to improved results in the chosen tests in healthy persons.

El presente estudio, de tipo cuasi experimental longitudinal y ciego, tuvo por objetivo determinar si el SEBT aplicado como método de entrenamiento de equilibrio dinámico e indirectamente de propiocepción, producía un efecto favorable en ésta, en sujetos entre 18 y 30 años que realizan actividad física y presenten inestabilidad funcional de tobillo.

Title: Effect of fitness concept FLOWIN® on balance and spinal segmental stabilisation Objectives: The goal of this thesis is to find out whether exercising the fitness concept FLOWIN® has any real and measurable effect on balance and spinal segmental stabilization of the individual, based on the comparison of measured data of exercisers of different levels of profficiency, which is differentiated by the length of exercise (beginners, advanced) and instructors of group lessons operating in the Czech Republic. Methods: The study in nature was a blinded experiment, attended by 13 beginners, 19 advanced exercisers and 10 instructors of the fitness concept FLOWIN®. Each participant's balance was tested by using the Y Balance test on lower and upper body and testing of spinal segmental stabilization was performed by using tests based on the principles of Australian method. The average results of testing of balance and spinal segmental stabilization of the experimental groups were then compared with each other. Separately were evaluated results of measuring spinal segmental stabilization in the group of instructors, depending on their experience in practicing the concept. Results: In the case of testing balance, the resulting research data showed that after comparing the average values of individual...

Activity and fitness levels decline through the years from 30 to 60 years of age. Minimal research is available regarding functional assessment tools in this population. Reliable functional tools are needed to reintroduce individuals to appropriate physical activity levels following an injury and to maintain high levels of participation through their lifespan. The purposes of this study were multiple: 1) determine if three functional tests correspond with neuromotor fitness levels, 2) establish a model of functional tests, activity levels and descriptive data that distinguishes the most from the least fit, 3) describe expected mean functional test performances, and 4) demonstrate the reliability of the three functional tests in a sample of 30-60 year olds. 63 females and 38 males completed activity surveys, a neuromotor fitness test, the star excursion balance test (SEBT), the four square step test (FSST), and the Biering-Sorensen test of trunk extensor muscle endurance. Moderate to high reliability of the functional tests was determined with 29 subjects. The SEBT (r=.97), FSST (r=.88) and the Biering-Sorensen test (r=.64) were reliable. All functional tests were able to distinguish between the most fit and least fit with regards to the fitness tests. A model of the body mass index and the FSST predicted 25% of the variance in fitness level. Functional test means are reported by 10-year age groups and represent expected performance values.Health care professionals can use this information to compare their patients to this group of healthy individuals. This will allow them to have some idea of how well a person with an injury is performing relative to a healthy individual. Additionally the combination of a persons BMI plus their FSST gives the health care professional some information about an individual level of neuromuscular fitness so that the health care professional can guide their patients toward an appropriate level of physical activity after their injury or illness.

Darbo tikslas: įvertinti hologramos poveikį sveikų, jauno amžiaus asmenų širdies ir kraujagyslių sistemos funkciniams rodikliams, funkcinių judesių atlikimo stereotipui, dinaminio stabilumo ir fizinio pajėgumo rodikliams. Darbo tikslui įgyvendinti buvo iškelti šie uždaviniai: 1. Įvertinti hologramos poveikį sveikų, jauno amžiaus asmenų širdies ir kraujagyslių sistemos funkciniams rodikliams. 2. Įvertinti hologramos poveikį sveikų, jauno amžiaus asmenų funkcinių judesių atlikimo stereotipui. 3. Įvertinti hologramos poveikį sveikų, jauno amžiaus asmenų dinaminio stabilumo rodikliams. 4. Įvertinti hologramos poveikį sveikų, jauno amžiaus asmenų fizinio pajėgumo rodikliams. Tyrimas atliktas Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universiteto Medicinos akademijos Slaugos fakulteto Sporto institute. Tyrime dalyvavo 31 asmuo. Moterų grupėje- 10 tiriamųjų (moterų amžiaus vidurkis 22,1 ±1,5 m. ( ±SEM, standartinė vidurkio įverčio paklaida), kūno masės indekso vidurkis 20,3 ±1,8 kg/m2). Vyrų grupėje - 21 tiriamasis ( amžiaus vidurkis 23,1 ± 1,2 m., kūno masės indekso vidurkis 23,6 ± 2,1 kg/m² ). Tyrimo dalyviai du kartus atliko pakopomis kas minutę didėjančio fizinio krūvio mėginį veloergometru, funkcinių judesių atlikimo stereotipo vertinimo (angl. Functional Movement Screen), Eurofito testų rinkinius ir Y pusiausvyros testą. Vieną kartą jie dėvėjo apyrankę su aktyvia holograma, o kitą kartą su neaktyvia holograma (placebo). Tarp atskirų testavimų buvo daroma savaitės pertrauka. Rezultatai:... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the study- evaluate the effect of hologram on young healthy human cardiovascular system, movement pattern quality, dynamic stability and physical performance. Goals of this research: 1. Evaluate hologram’s effect on young healthy human cardiovascular system. 2. Evaluate hologram’s effect on young healthy human movement pattern quality. 3. Evaluate hologram’s effect on young healthy human dynamic stability. 4. Evaluate holographic effect on young healthy human physical performance This study was carried out in the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursery, Institute of Sport. 10 females (age average of 22,1 ± 1,5 m.(± SEM, standard error mean), body mass index average of 20,3 ± 1,8 kg/m2) and 21 males(age average of 23,1 ± 1,2 m., body mass index average of 23,6 ± 2,1 kg/m2) were tested. Reasearch type: each subject was tested 2 times – first time wearing wristband with active hologram and second time wearing wristband with non- active (placebo) hologram. One week interval was held between the testing in order to avoid the effect of previous testing. Tested person weren’t able to know what kind of wristband he or she is wearing during the testing. Holograms looked the same, with the same picture andthe same size. Participants performed increasing load veloergometer excirsice test, Functional Movement Screen and Eurofit test batteries, Y balance test. Results:. dynamic stability measured by Y balance testst in the anterior direction of the left... [to full text]

Bakgrund: Personer som opererats för godartad lillhjärnstumör när de var barn upplever sig ha balansproblem och förekomst av lätt balansnedsättning har rapporterats. I en pågående uppföljningsstudie vid Akademiska sjukhuset undersöks bl.a. balansen i denna patientgrupp. Syfte: … att i en delstudie med kontrollpersoner beskriva och jämföra balansförmågan vid genomförande av Mini-BESTest med fokus på Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) och TUG_kognitiv. Metod: Tvärsnittsstudie. Elva personer 19-33 år rekryterades. Deltagarna utförde Mini-BESTest med rörelseanalyssystemet MoLab. Beroende variabler var poäng på MiniBESTest, absolut och relativ tid för TUG-faser samt balansvariabeln trunk sway velocity. Resultat: Medianvärdet för Mini-BESTest var 31 (Q1-Q3=29-31). En skillnad på 17,3%  framkom för den totala tiden mellan TUG och TUG_kognitiv. Signifikanta skillnader mellan balansuppgifterna påvisades för total absolut tid (p = 0,003), fas 2 (p = 0,013) och fas 3 (p = 0,021). För balansvariabeln trunk sway velocity i antero-/posterior riktning framkom signifikanta skillnader för fas 2 (p=0,008), fas 3 (p=0,010) och fas 4 (p = 0,05), medio-/lateralt en signifikant skillnad för fas 2 (p = 0,03). Konklusion: Denna studie visade att friska unga vuxna får en påverkan på balansen när de samtidigt utför en kognitiv uppgift. Resultatet går inte att generalisera till en större population utan gäller för de undersökta deltagarna / Background: People treated for benign cerebellar tumor during childhood experience balance problems and studies report presence of mild balance impairment. In an ongoing follow-up study at the University Hospital in Uppsala balance in this patient group is being investigated. Objective: ... in a sub-study with control persons describe and compare balance performance of Mini-BESTest focusing on Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) and TUG_cognitive. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Eleven people 19-33 years were recruited. The participants performed the Mini-BESTest with the MoLab motion analysis system. Dependent variables were points on MiniBESTest, absolute and relative time for TUG-phases, and the balance variable trunk sway velocity. Results: Median value for Mini-BESTest was 31 (Q1-Q3 = 29-31). A difference of 17.3% was shown for total time between TUG and TUG_cognitive. Significant differences between the balance tests were shown for total absolute time (p = 0.003), phase 2 (p = 0.013) and phase 3 (p = 0.021). For trunk sway velocity in the antero-/posterior direction, significant differences were shown for phase 2 (p = 0.008), phase 3 (p = 0.010) and phase 4 (p = 0.05), medio-/laterally  significant difference for phase 2 (p = 0.03). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that healthy young adults have an impact on balance when they simultaneously perform a cognitive task. The result cannot be generalized to a larger population, but applies to the participants investigated.

Introduktion: Balans definieras som förmågan att kontrollera tyngdpunkten i förhållande till understödsytan. Bålen är centrum av de kinetiska kedjorna och har en betydelsefull roll vid utförande och kvalitén på rörelser. Tidigare studier har föreslagit att bålstabilitetsträning har en positiv effekt på dynamisk balans. Nedsatt balans kan ge upphov till skador och rehabilitering av dessa sker ofta kliniskt. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka sambandet mellan bålstabilitet och dynamisk balans hos unga friska individer. Metod: Studien omfattade 8 försökspersoner. Förfrågan om medverkan sändes till sex klassgrupper med universitetsstudenter på Facebook. Dynamisk balans testades via star excursion balance test och bålstabiliteten testades via core muscle strength and stability test. Resultat: Mellan bålstabilitet och dynamisk balans vid stående på höger fot och sträckning av vänster fot, fanns ett måttligt positivt samband vid riktning posteriomedialt (r=0.63). Samt ett lågt positivt samband vid riktning posteriolateralt (r=0.35). Ett lågt negativt samband kunde ses vid stående på vänster fot och sträckning av höger fot, i den anteriora riktningen (r=-0.45). Konklusion: Samband kan antydas mellan bålstabilitet och dynamisk balans vid enstaka sträckriktningar och skiljer sig beroende på stödfot. Större studier behövs för vidare undersökning inom området.