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Article

Different Gymnastic Balls Affect Postural Balance Rather Than Core-Muscle Activation: A Preliminary Study

Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(3), 1337; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11031337
Submission received: 17 December 2020 / Revised: 22 January 2021 / Accepted: 27 January 2021 / Published: 2 February 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanical Spectrum of Human Sport Performance Ⅱ)

Abstract

Background: In proprioceptive training, unstable devices produce multidirectional perturbations that must be counterbalanced by the postural control systems and core-muscle activation. We investigated whether different sizes and shapes of three gymnastic balls could affect core-muscle activation and postural balance when performing the same exercise. Methods: Eleven young healthy subjects were assessed on the balls, assuming two body postures (bipedal seated and unipedal seated) and performing a dynamic exercise. Two balls were spherical with different diameters, and one was ovoid. Postural balance and muscle activation were assessed through center of pressure (CoP)-related parameters and surface electromyography. Results: Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of the gymnastic balls (p < 0.001) and the body postures (p < 0.001) for the CoP-related parameters, with the ovoid shape and the bipedal sitting representing the easiest conditions. Core-muscle activation was affected only by body postures, with a higher activation in the unipedal sitting (p < 0.01). In the dynamic exercise, significant differences were only detected for the CoP-related parameters (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The shapes and sizes of the gymnastic balls produced different degrees of destabilization under the same body posture but left the core-muscle activation unaltered. In the dynamic exercise, the conformation of the balls did not represent the main determinant in producing destabilizing effects.
Keywords: balance; unstable device; center of pressure; core stability balance; unstable device; center of pressure; core stability

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MDPI and ACS Style

Rizzato, A.; Paoli, A.; Marcolin, G. Different Gymnastic Balls Affect Postural Balance Rather Than Core-Muscle Activation: A Preliminary Study. Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 1337. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11031337

AMA Style

Rizzato A, Paoli A, Marcolin G. Different Gymnastic Balls Affect Postural Balance Rather Than Core-Muscle Activation: A Preliminary Study. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11(3):1337. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11031337

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rizzato, Alex, Antonio Paoli, and Giuseppe Marcolin. 2021. "Different Gymnastic Balls Affect Postural Balance Rather Than Core-Muscle Activation: A Preliminary Study" Applied Sciences 11, no. 3: 1337. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11031337

APA Style

Rizzato, A., Paoli, A., & Marcolin, G. (2021). Different Gymnastic Balls Affect Postural Balance Rather Than Core-Muscle Activation: A Preliminary Study. Applied Sciences, 11(3), 1337. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11031337

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