Affiliations: [a] Institute of Physical Education, Tourism and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Pedagogy, Jan Długosz University, Czestochowa, Poland | [b] Department of Physiotherapy in Musculoskeletal Disorders, Faculty of Physiotherapy, The University of Physical Education, Wroclaw, Poland
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Błażej Cieślik, Institute of Physical Education, Tourism and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Pedagogy, Jan Długosz University, Waszyngtona Street 4/8, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland. Tel.: +48 34378429; E-mail: b.cieslik@ajd.czest.pl.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of normalized muscle tension via tensegrity-based massage on postural stability in a sample of female young adults. METHODS: Nineteen females aged 21.8 ± 1.9 years were recruited presenting abnormal tension at muscles adhering to any of the following structural sites: superior iliac spine, lateral sacropelvic surface, linea aspera at 1/2 of femur length, and superior nuchal line of the occiput. Balance and postural control were assessed during bipedal stance using a force platform in multiple conditions: hard surface or soft foam surface with the head in either a neutral posture or tilted backward. Baseline and 3-min and 15-min post-treatment measures were collected while barefoot and eyes closed. Main outcomes measures included center of pressure variability, range, radius, and velocity in the anteroposterior (AP) mediolateral (ML) dimensions. RESULTS: In the solid surface with neutral head posture condition only AP COP measures decreased significantly (p< 0.05). In the soft surface condition, significant differences were observed in the AP and ML dimensions among most measures (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A single application of tensegrity-based massage positively influenced postural control in young adult females, particularly in the AP direction.
Keywords: Postural control, tensegrity, stability, COP, force platform, muscle chains
