[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of yoga training on static and dynamic standing balance in obese individuals with poor standing balance. [Subjects and Methods] Sixteen obese volunteers were randomly assigned into yoga and control groups. The yoga training program was performed for 45 minutes per day, 3 times per week, for 4 weeks. Static and dynamic balance were assessed in volunteers with one leg standing and functional reach tests. Outcome measures were tested before training and after a single week of training. Two-way repeated measure analysis of variance with Tukey’s honestly significant difference post hoc statistics was used to analyze the data. [Results] Obese individuals showed significantly increased static standing balance in the yoga training group, but there was no significant improvement of static or dynamic standing balance in the control group after 4 weeks. In the yoga group, significant increases in static standing balance was found after the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks. Compared with the control group, static standing balance in the yoga group was significantly different after the 2nd week, and dynamic standing balance was significantly different after the 4th week. [Conclusion] Yoga training would be beneficial for improving standing balance in obese individuals with poor standing balance.

The purposes of this study were to develop and evaluate the test-retest reliability of a specific low-cost three-dimensional webcam recording system (3D-WCRS) and compare its reliability to a standard motion analysis system. Twenty healthy volunteers comprised of 5 males and 15 females with a mean age of 22.90 years and mean BMI of 22.72 kg/m 2 were investigated for angles of hip, knee and ankle joints in three planes while walking at a self-selected speed. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to evaluate as well as compare the test-retest reliability of the 3D-WCRS and standard motion analysis system. Standard error of measurement (SEM) was also analyzed for the purposes of the study. The results exhibited excellent test-retest reliability for the 3D-WCRS (ICCs ranged between 0.93 and 0.99, p = 0.001) in the three joints and planes. The standard motion analysis system demonstrated excellent reliability for all joints and planes (ICCs ranged between 0.99 and 1.00, p = 0.001). Minimal SEM values were observed in both the 3D-WCRS and standard motion analysis systems. Therefore, the developed low-cost 3D-WCRS exhibits good to excellent test-retest reliability. The test-retest reliability of the 3D-WCRS is likely to be comparable to a standard motion analysis system.

Abstract. [Purpose] To determine the associations between peak knee valgus moment and lower extremity joint angles at initial contact and at peak knee valgus moment during side-step cutting and to investigate their associations with gender. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty healthy subjects and twenty basketball players participated in this study. Three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics of hip, knee and ankle joints were recorded during a side-step cutting protocol by six video cameras and a forceplate. Associations between peak knee valgus moment and three-dimensional hip, knee and ankle joint angles were analyzed using Pearson's product moment correlation.[Results] Peak knee valgus moment was significantly associated with increased hip flexion, knee flexion, ankle inversion and ankle external rotation at initial contact and at peak knee valgus moment. With regard to gender, significant associations between peak knee valgus moment and hip, knee and ankle joint angles were found only in females.[Conclusion] The results provided data on lower extremity joint posture related to peak knee valgus moment during side-step cutting and indicate that females are more sensitive to increased peak knee valgus moment while performing side-step cutting.

Postural stability control performance assessment is necessary in providing important information for individuals who are at risk of falling or who have balance impairment. Instrumented assessment is suggested as a valid and reliable test, but the cost and the difficulty of setup are significant limitations. The aim of this cross-sectional (test-retest reliability) study was to develop and determine the reliability of a low-cost posturography for assessing postural stability control performance during standing. The low-cost posturography was developed with four load cells and an acrylic platform. The center of pressure (COP) displacement and velocity were analyzed using written software. Test-retest reliability was performed with six different standing postural stability tests in twenty healthy volunteers on two different days. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), coefficient of variation (CV), and Bland–Altman plot and limits of agreements (LOA) were used for analyses. The low-cost posturography was accurate (ICC = 0.99, p < 0.001 ; SEM = 0.003 cm) when compared to the true with calculated X and Y coordinates, with a moderate to excellent test-retest reliability for both COP displacement (ICCs ranged 0.62–0.91, p < 0.05 ; SEMs ranged 17.92–25.77%) and COP velocity (ICCs ranged 0.62–0.91, p < 0.05 ; SEMs ranged 18.09–27.69%) in all standing postural stability tests. Bland–Altman plots and LOAs suggested good agreement of tested parameters from the developed low-cost posturography between different days. In conclusion, the developed low-cost posturography had adequate reliability for assessing COP displacement and velocity during standing postural control stability performance tests.