Effects of obesity on balance and gait alterations in young adults.
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Date
2011-07
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Abstract
The effects of obesity on the balance and gait parameters like
step width and foot angle (degree of toe out) in young adults were studied.
60 subjects of both the genders were taken. 30 were taken as a control
group (non-obese, BMI < 25) and 30 were taken as experimental group
(obese, BMI 30 >). Functional Reach Test (FRT) was used for Balance
Testing and the Footprint method was used for Gait parameters
measurements. The value of functional reach test in females was 11.90±0.12
inches in control group and 7.01±1.80 inches in experimental group (t=5.31,
P<0.001) and in males, it was 16.45±0.72 inches in control and 11.66±0.53
inches in experimental group (t=6.47, P<0.001). The degree of toe out in
females was 6.66±0.08 degrees for control and 8.13±0.21 degrees for
experimental group (t=4.08, P<0.01) and in males, it was 6.59±0.04 for
control and 9.79±0.51 for experimental group (t=6.53, P<0.001). The step
width was found to be 4.41±0.15 inches (control group) and 6.27±0.35
inches (experimental) in males (t=4.53, P<0.01) and it was 3.95±0.03 inches
(control) and 3.42±1.05 inches (experimental) in females (t=0.77, P>0.05).
We concluded that obesity has a negative impact on balance of an individual.
The degree of toe out was more in obese group as compared to normal BMI
group in both genders. The Step Width measurement was more in males
of obese group than that in males of normal BMI group but it showed
statistically insignificant when compared in females of both groups.
Description
Keywords
obesity, functional reach test, gait, balance, degree of toe out, step width
Citation
Sarkar Aparna, Singh Meenakshi, Bansal Nitesh, Kapoor Seema. Effects of obesity on balance and gait alterations in young adults. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. 2011 Jul-Sept; 55(3): 227-233.