Association of Anthropometric Characteristics to Static Sagittal Postural Balance Strategy in Healthy Young Adults

Abstract

Background and purpose: Associations of a positive sagittal postural imbalance with pain, physical disability and reduced health-related quality of life have emerged as the predictor of clinical symptoms. Limits of postural stability in sagittal standing are set by mechanical factors that include both individual and environmental characteristics. The variability of individual anthropometric characteristics and body dimensions may be considered to affect the selection of motor strategies that people use to maintain standing balance control. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the association of anthropometric characteristics with static sagittal postural balance strategy in healthy young adults Methodology: Total of 239 healthy under graduate collegiate students aged 18-25 years were randomly screened. Individual's anthropometric characteristics were measured in accordance with ISAK standards. The Indices of BMI (Kg/m 2 ), upper body height to lower body height ratio (UBH/LBH ratio); waist to hip circumference ratio (WC/HC ratio); bi-acromial to bi-iliocristal width ratio (BA/BI ratio) were calculated. Static sagittal postural Balance strategy (Anterior; neutral; posterior) was analyzed using lateral postural analysis. Individual anthropometric characteristics were compared among the three types of sagittal postural balance strategy. Results: Gender specific analysis revealed that the anthropometric characteristics like weight (WT); BMI; WC; HC and BI in females are significantly associated with the shift of neutral balance strategy towards the sagittal posterior direction whereas anterior strategy, being most prevalent in both the genders is not associated with any anthropometric characteristics. Conclusions: Higher BMI; weight; biacromial width (BA); waist (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were the significant determinants of sagittal posterior balance strategy among female adults. We suggest that assessment of an individuals anthropometric characteristics and adopted sagittal standing postural strategy in clinical set up can improve the insight in designing the therapeutic strategies by directing the intervention approach towards the modifiable body characteristics.