Influence of the ground surface texture on the body balance of young people during natural position

Abstract

Background: One of the factors ensuring proper human functioning is the efficiency and control of the postural balance. The proper functioning of the vagus, the visual and vestibular systems, and proprioceptive receptors is achieved by appropriate and precise coordination of their work by the cerebellum. Constant contact with a surface while standing leads to information for the body orientation in space. Textured ground surfaces can be used as a very good tool for functional training and stimulation of the balance system. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different ground surface textures on the body balance of young subjects during natural position with eyes closed. Material and methods: A total of 12 college students between the ages of 20 and 25 participated in the study. The subject was standing on a posturographic platform, compatible with a computer and suitable software. Four closed-eye trials were conducted on four different grounds: hard, fine mesh, coarse mesh, and tabbed pad. The duration of each measurement was 20 seconds. Results: There was a ground-plane interaction for three COP parameters: fractal dimension, entropy, and frequency. Their values increased only in the frontal plane on mesh ground, with the greater increase for coarse mesh. Conclusion: The nature of the contact surface between the foot and the shoe insert influences the stability of the standing posture and depends on the shape, number and size of the contact points.