Influence of a smartphone use on dynamic balance in healthy adolescents

Purpose. The aim of the study was to detect the immediate and late effects of using a smartphone for 30 consecutive minutes on dynamic balance in healthy adolescents. Methods. Overall, 96 healthy adolescents of both genders, aged 15–18 years, were randomly assigned to the study and the control group. The subjects in the study group used a smartphone for 30 consecutive minutes; smartphones were not allowed in the control group. A Biodex system was used to assess the dynamic balance initially, as well as immediately after and 1 hour after the intervention. Results. MANOVA test revealed that there were statistically significant differences in the overall stability index and anteroposterior stability index (p = 0.002 and 0.04, respectively), with a statistically insignificant difference in the mediolateral stability index (p = 0.46) within the study group. Significant differences were observed in the immediate measurements of both overall stability index and anteroposterior stability index (p = 0.0001 and 0.03, respectively), while statistically insignificant differences were noted in the measurements of mediolateral stability index between the groups. Conclusions. The dynamic balance decreased after 30 consecutive minutes of smartphone use, so care should be taken to avoid accidents while walking or performing other daily activities. This effect, however, disappeared 1 hour later.