Evaluation of the Relative Viability of Anthropometric Parameters, Aerobic Capacity, Spinal Mobility, Abdominal Muscular Endurance, Back and Lower Limb Muscle Strength in Predicting the Balance Performance of Young Adult Males

Abstract

Article HistoryBackground: The physical-and-physiological factors that modulate balance performance are currently not well elucidated in the extant literature. Objectives: This study investigated the viability of using demographic factors, physical and physiological variables to predict balance performance. Methods: 150 adult males consented and completed all the 17 tests required. Their anthropometric indices (leg length, thigh and calf circumferences, height, body weight, quotelet index, body surface area), dominant leg isometric muscle strength (quadriceps femoris, hamstrings, plantar flexors and dorsiflexors), spinal mobility (back extension and forward flexion), aerobic capacity, isometric back extensor strength, abdominal muscular endurance and the non-timed criterion unipedal stance performance with eyes opened and eyes closed were measured using standard protocols. Results: Significant positive correlations were obtained between several of the independent variables. Thigh circumference was significantly related to quadriceps femoris strength (r = 0.545, p<0.001), hamstrings strength (r = 0.4.57, p<0.001), plantar flexor strength (r = 0.249, p<0.002), and dorsiflexors strength (r = 0.2496, p<0.002).The 17 independent variables combined contributed significantly (F = 2.051, p<0.05) to the prediction of balance performance with eyes opened. Unexpectedly, only 20.9% of the variance in balance performance was accounted for by the 17 independent variables. Stature and the plantar flexor muscle strength were the two viable predictors of balance performance when the eyes is opened; stature contributed 5.5% and the plantar flexor muscle strength contributed 3.8%. Abdominal muscular endurance contributed 3.1% out of the combined 14.4% variance in balance performance when the eyes are closed. Conclusions: From a practical perspective, the contribution of the 17 physical-and-physiological variables monitored in this study to the prediction of balance performance is dreary; therefore, follow-up studies should explore other independent variables. Contribution/ Originality: This study is the first to evaluate the viability of using multiple combinations of physical-and-physiological variables to predict balance performance. The regression equations derived in this study can be used to estimate the balance performance of young adult males.

Prospective associations of physical fitness and cognitive performance among inpatients with Schizophrenia

“…The standardized sit-and-reach test was used to measure the lower back and hip joint flexibility (American College of Sports Medicine, 2003;Vancampfort et al, 2013). The number of bent-knee sit-ups attained in 1 min was used to assess abdominal muscle endurance (Balogun et al, 2017). Participants were encouraged to perform as many bent-knee sit-ups as possible.…”