The Effect of Body Mass Index on Static and Dynamic Balance

Abstract

Objectives: Obesity, which is the biggest problem of our age, is thought to negatively affect balance. Therefore, our study aims to examine the effect of body mass index (BMI) on static and dynamic balance. Materials and Methods: Our study was conducted on adults between September 2021 and July 2022. One hundred and twenty participants aged between 18-65 years who were independent in daily living activities were included in the study. Static balance was assessed using the Flamingo balance test and the Prokin Tecnobody Isokinetic Balance Device (TecnoBody S.R.L., Dalmine, Bergamo, Italy), while dynamic balance was evaluated with the Y balance test and the Prokin Tecnobody Dynamic Balance Platform Results: Flamingo balance test results had the highest values in obese individuals and statistically significant differences between the groups in the measurement conducted with the right foot (p=0.001). In Tecnobody parameters, underweight individuals demonstrated faster weight transfer completion times, and the difference between groups was statistically significant (p=0.028). Although it was observed that the static and dynamic balance values of underweight individuals were better than other groups and obese individuals were worse, the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study showed that high BMI can negatively affect the static and dynamic balance in individuals. Therefore, attention should be paid to balance problems, especially for obese individuals.

Keywords

• postural balance
• body mass index
• body weight
• body height

References

1. Adam, C., Council of Europe Committee for the Development of Sport & Council of Europe Committee of Experts on Sports Research. (1993). EUROFIT: Handbook for the EUROFIT tests of physical fitness. Rome.
2. Allum, J. H., Honegger, F. & Schicks, H. (1993). Vestibular and proprioceptive modulation of postural synergies in normal subjects. Journal of Vestibular Research: Equilibrium & Orientation, 3(1), 59-85.
3. Almurdi, M. M. (2024). Postural balance and functional mobility in relation to BMI and body composition among female students at a College of Applied Medical Sciences: A cross-sectional study. Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil), 79, 100401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinsp.2024.100401
4. Angin, S., Karadibak, D., Yavuzsen, T. & Demirbuken, I. (2014). Unilateral upper extremity lymphedema deteriorates the postural stability in breast cancer survivors. Współczesna Onkologia, 4, 279-284. https://doi.org/10.5114/wo.2014.44120
5. Apovian, C. M. (2016). Obesity: Definition, comorbidities, causes, and burden. The American Journal of Managed Care, 22(7), 176-185.
6. Arol, P. & Eroglu, K. I. (2018). The effects of 8-week balance training on the kayaking performance of the beginners. Pedagogics, Psychology, Medical-Biological Problems of Physical Training and Sports, 22(4), 170. https://doi.org/10.15561/18189172.2018.0401
7. Biswas, A., Oh, P. I., Faulkner, G. E., Bajaj, R. R., Silver, M. A., Mitchell, M. S. & Alter, D. A. (2015). Sedentary time and its association with risk for disease incidence, mortality, and hospitalization in adults. Annals of Internal Medicine, 162(2), 123-132. https://doi.org/10.7326/M14-1651
8. Browning, R. C., Reynolds, M. M., Board, W. J., Walters, K. A. & Reiser, R. F. (2013). Obesity does not impair walking economy across a range of speeds and grades. Journal of Applied Physiology, 114(9), 1125-1131. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00765.2012

9. Bučková, K., Lobotková, J., Hirjaková, Z., Bzdúšková, D. & Hlavačka, F. (2015). Postural control assessed by limit of stability in obese adults. Activitas Nervosa Superior Rediviva, 56(3), 87-90.
10. Cancela Carral, J. M., Ayán, C., Sturzinger, L. & Gonzalez, G. (2019). Relationships between body mass index and static and dynamic balance in active and inactive older adults. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 42(4), 85-90. https://doi.org/10.1519/JPT.0000000000000195
11. Capodaglio, P., Cimolin, V., Tacchini, E., Parisio, C. & Galli, M. (2012). Balance control and balance recovery in obesity. Current Obesity Reports, 1(3), 166-173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-012-0018-7
12. Cakir, E. & Ozbar, N. (2019). Bayan futsal oyuncularında flamingo ve stork denge testinin karşılaştırılması ile kassal kuvvetin testler üzerine etkisi. [Comparison of flamingo and stork balance test in women futsal players and the effect of muscular strength on the tests]. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, 24(3), 181-188.
13. Demirbag Kabayel, D., Sut, N., Tuna, F., Yavuz, S., Ozdemir, H., Koyuncu, M. & Koyuncu, G. (2017). Kırıktan önceki son durak: Yaşlıda düşme ve denge kaybının değerlendirilmesi. [The last stop before fracture: Evaluation of falls and loss of balance in the elderly] The Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 63(1), 14-22.
14. Desrochers, P. C., Kim, D., Keegan, L. & Gill, S. V. (2021). Association between the functional gait assessment and spatiotemporal gait parameters in individuals with obesity compared to normal weight controls: A proof-of-concept study. Journal of Musculoskeletal & Neuronal Interactions, 21(3), 335-342.
15. do Nascimento, J. A., Silva, C. C., dos Santos, H. H., de Almeida Ferreira, J. J. & de Andrade, P. R. (2017). A preliminary study of static and dynamic balance in sedentary obese young adults: The relationship between BMI, posture and postural balance. Clinical Obesity, 7(6), 377-383. https://doi.org/10.1111/cob.12209
16. Gaspar, A. G. M. & Lapão, L. V. (2021). eHealth for addressing balance disorders in the elderly: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(4), e22215. https://doi.org/10.2196/22215
17. Guzmán-Muñoz, E., Mendez-Rebolledo, G., Núñez-Espinosa, C., Valdés-Badilla, P., Monsalves-Álvarez, M., Delgado-Floody, P. & Herrera-Valenzuela, T. (2023). Anthropometric profile and physical activity level as predictors of postural balance in overweight and obese children. Behavioral Sciences, 13(1), 73. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13010073
18. Hergenroeder, A. L., Wert, D. M., Hile, E. S., Studenski, S. A. & Brach, J. S. (2011). Association of body mass index with self-report and performance-based measures of balance and mobility. Physical Therapy, 91(8), 1223-1234. https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20100214
19. Jabarifard, F., Mohammadzadeh, M., Rezaei, K., & Sedighimehr, N. (2023). A comparison of core muscle endurance, static and dynamic balance in girls with normal body mass index and obesity. Annals of Applied Sport Science, 20(1), 145. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-023-01079-3
20. Kim, S.-G. & Kim, W.-S. (2018). Effect of ankle range of motion (ROM) and lower-extremity muscle strength on static balance control ability in young adults: A regression analysis. Medical Science Monitor, 24, 3168-3175. https://doi.org/10.12659/MSM.908260
21. Koliaki, C., Dalamaga, M. & Liatis, S. (2023). Update on the obesity epidemic: After the sudden rise, is the upward trajectory beginning to flatten? Current Obesity Reports, 12(4), 514-527. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-023-00527-y
22. Matthews, C. E., Chen, K. Y., Freedson, P. S., Buchowski, M. S., Beech, B. M., Pate, R. R. & Troiano, R. P. (2008). Amount of time spent in sedentary behaviors in the United States, 2003-2004. American Journal of Epidemiology, 167(7), 875-881. https://doi.org/10.1093/AJE/KWM390
23. Mocanu, G. D. & Murariu, G. (2022). The association of gender and body mass index on the values of static and dynamic balance of university students (A cross-sectional design study). Applied Sciences, 12(8), 3770. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12083770
24. Mocanu, G. D., Murariu, G. & Onu, I. (2022). The influence of BMI levels on the values of static and dynamic balance for students (men) of the faculty of physical education and sports. Journal of Men’s Health, 18(7), 156. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jomh1807156
25. Ng, M., Fleming, T., Robinson, M., Thomson, B., Graetz, N., Margono, C., Mullany, E. C., Biryukov, S., Abbafati, C., Abera, S. F., Abraham, J. P., Abu-Rmeileh, N. M. E., Achoki, T., Albuhairan, F. S., Alemu, Z. A., Alfonso, R., Ali, M. K., Ali, R., Guzman, N. A., ... Gakidou, E. (2014). Global, regional, and national prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults during 1980-2013: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet, 384(9945), 766-781. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60460-8
26. Nuttall, F. Q. (2015). Body mass index: Obesity, BMI, and health: A critical review. Nutrition Today, 50(3), 117-128. https://doi.org/10.1097/NT.0000000000000092
27. Paillard, T. (2017). Plasticity of the postural function to sport and/or motor experience. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 72, 129-152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.11.015
28. Plisky, P. J., Gorman, P. P., Butler, R. J., Kiesel, K. B., Underwood, F. B. & Elkins, B. (2009). The reliability of an instrumented device for measuring components of the star excursion balance test. North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy: NAJSPT, 4(2), 92-99.
29. Sarto, F., Pizzichemi, M., Chiossi, F., Bisiacchi, P. S., Franchi, M. V., Narici, M. V., Monti, E., Paoli, A. & Marcolin, G. (2022). Physical active lifestyle promotes static and dynamic balance performance in young and older adults. Frontiers in Physiology, 13, https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.986881
30. Scursatone, I., Caire, M., Cerrina, V. & Pizzigalli, L. (2015). Influence of competitive experience on static postural balance in a group of high-level rhythmic gymnasts. E-balonmano.com: Revista de Ciencias del Deporte, 11(2), 203-204.
31. Silveira, E. A., Mendonça, C. R., Delpino, F. M., Elias Souza, G. V., Pereira de Souza Rosa, L., de Oliveira, C. & Noll, M. (2022). Sedentary behavior, physical inactivity, abdominal obesity, and obesity in adults and older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 50, 63-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.06.001
32. Simoneau, M. & Teasdale, N. (2015). Balance control impairment in obese individuals is caused by larger balance motor commands variability. Gait & Posture, 41(1), 203-208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.10.008
33. Smith, A. J., O’Sullivan, P. B., Beales, D. & Straker, L. (2012). Back pain beliefs are related to the impact of low back pain in 17-year-olds. Physical Therapy, 92(10), 1258-1267. https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20110396
34. Swarnalatha, S., Sivashankari, A. & Malarvizhi, D. (2018). Correlation between body mass index and dynamic postural control among young healthy adults. Biomedical Research and Clinical Practice, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.15761/BRCP.1000171
35. Thorp, A. A., Owen, N., Neuhaus, M. & Dunstan, D. W. (2011). Sedentary behaviors and subsequent health outcomes in adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 41(2), 207-215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2011.05.004
36. Timurtas, E., Selcuk, H., Ugur Canoz, E., Kortelli, O., Demirbuken, I. ve Polat, M. G. (2023). The effect of different body mass index levels on static and dynamic postural balance performance in adults. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences, 7(1), 131-138. https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1079167
37. Vinik, A. I., Camacho, P., Reddy, S., Valencia, W. M., Trence, D., Matsumoto, A. M. & Morley, J. E. (2017). Aging, diabetes, and falls. Endocrine Practice, 23(9), 1120-1142. https://doi.org/10.4158/EP171794.RA
38. Wearing, S. C., Hennig, E. M., Byrne, N. M., Steele, J. R. & Hills, A. P. (2006). The biomechanics of restricted movement in adult obesity. Obesity Reviews, 7(1), 13-24. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2006.00215.x
39. Weir, C. B. & Jan, A. (2023). BMI classification percentile and cut-off points. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541070/
40. Yin, L., Qin, J., Chen, Y., Xie, J., Hong, C., Huang, J., Xu, Y., Liu, Z. & Tao, J. (2021). Impact of body mass index on static postural control in adults with and without diabetes: A cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.768185