2012, Volume 8, Issue 3

Postural balance control ability of visually impaired and unimpaired judoists



Ramdane Almansba1, Katarzyna Sterkowicz-Przybycień2, Stanislaw Sterkowicz3, Dalila Mahdad4, Jean Paul Boucher1, Michel Calmet5, Alain Steve Comtois1

1Exercise Physiology laboratory, Kinanthropology Department, University of Québec in Montreal, Montreal, Montreal, Canada
2Departments of Theory and Methodology of Gymnastics, University School of Physical Education in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
3Department of Theory and Methodology of Combat Sports, University School of Physical Education in Krakow, Krakow, Brak
4École Nationale Supérieure en Sciences et Technologie du Sport, Dély-Ibrahim, Dély-Ibrahim, Algeria
5Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, Montpellier, France


Author for correspondence: Ramdane Almansba; Exercise Physiology laboratory, Kinanthropology Department, University of Québec in Montreal, Montreal, Montreal, Canada; email: almansba.ramdane[at]uqam.ca


Full text

Abstract

Background and Study Aim: This research proposal aims to evaluate the postural balance control ability of visually impaired and unimpaired judoists among different sensory conditions (eyes open or closed) using a simple field test.
Material and Methods: A total of 38 volunteers men aged 28.7 ± 6.8 years assigned into three groups, 10 visually impaired judoists of world-level, 14 visually unimpaired judoists of national level and 14 non-athletes without health disorder were chosen as the control group. They performed in randomized trials the Unipedal Stance Test three times successively in both sensory conditions, eyes open or closed. The mean and the best Unipedal Stance Test score of the 3 trails were recorded for each patient.
Results: The Unipedal Stance Test results obtained with eyes open were better than those for eyes closed as expected. The best values for eyes open and closed were: 45 vs. 30.5 sec, 45 vs. 26.5 sec and 45 vs. 11.3 sec for visually unimpaired judoist, visually unimpaired judoists and non-athletes, respectively. Better Unipedal Stance Test score with closed eyes was recorded for both judoists groups compared to non-athletes.
Conclusion: Our finding could suggest that the regular practice of specific judo training improve significantly the proprioceptive system of visually impaired persons.


Key words: judo, proprioception, unipedal stance test, visual impairment


Cite this article as:

AMA:

Almansba R, Sterkowicz-Przybycień K, Sterkowicz S et al. Postural balance control ability of visually impaired and unimpaired judoists. ARCH BUDO. 2012;8(3)

APA:

Almansba, R., Sterkowicz-Przybycień, K., Sterkowicz, S., Mahdad, D., Boucher, J.P., & Calmet, M. et al. (2012). Postural balance control ability of visually impaired and unimpaired judoists. ARCH BUDO, 8(3)

Chicago:

Almansba, Ramdane, Sterkowicz-Przybycień Katarzyna, Sterkowicz Stanislaw, Mahdad Dalila, Boucher Jean Paul, Calmet Michel, and Comtois Alain Ste. 2012. "Postural balance control ability of visually impaired and unimpaired judoists". ARCH BUDO 8 (3)

Harvard:

Almansba, R., Sterkowicz-Przybycień, K., Sterkowicz, S., Mahdad, D., Boucher, J.P., Calmet, M., and Comtois, A.S. (2012). Postural balance control ability of visually impaired and unimpaired judoists. ARCH BUDO, 8(3)

MLA:

Almansba, Ramdane et al. "Postural balance control ability of visually impaired and unimpaired judoists." ARCH BUDO, vol. 8, no. 3, 2012

Vancouver:

Almansba R, Sterkowicz-Przybycień K, Sterkowicz S et al. Postural balance control ability of visually impaired and unimpaired judoists. ARCH BUDO 2012; 8(3)