P40 Reducing visual information via stroboscopic eyewear impairs static postural control

• Published in: British journal of sports medicine 2017-10, Vol.51 (Suppl 1), p.A28
• Main Authors: Rhodes, E, Mihalik, JP, Franz, JR, Wikstrom, EA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ankle; Posture
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-anklesymp.72

Study DesignRepeated Measures.ObjectivesTo determine if limiting visual information by using stroboscopic eyewear alters spatial and temporal measures of static postural control.BackgroundMultiple musculoskeletal injuries alter sensory organisation strategies by increasing an individual’s reliance on visual information. Balance training exercises on unstable platforms (e.g. wobble boards) also promote using visual information. Eyes closed exercises force individuals to rely more heavily on somatosensory information but the static nature of the exercises limits the exercises functionality during rehabilitation. Stroboscopic eyewear limits visual information by introducing a stroboscopic visual effect while the participant undergoes dynamic movements. Using stroboscopic eyewear to occlude visual information may improve functionality by emphasising available somatosensory information. The impact on sensorimotor function under this clinical research paradigm remains unclear.Methods and MeasuresTen subjects (five controls; five with self-reported CAI) participated. CAI was defined in accordance with the International Ankle Consortium guidelines. Three 10 s single limb balance trials quantified centre of pressure velocity (COPV) and the 95% confidence ellipse (CE95) under four visual conditions: eyes open (EO), eyes open with low stroboscopic interference (EOLS), eyes open with high stroboscopic interference (EOHS), and eyes closed (EC).ResultsFor COPV, the EO trials (4.00±0.90 cm/s) were significantly better than the other conditions (EC=9.45±1.88 cm/s; EOLS=8.33±1.91 cm/s; EOHS=6.41±1.52 cm/s; p