VISUAL CONTRIBUTION TO STATIC BALANCE OF SEDENTARY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to measure the static balance of participants on both hard and soft surfaces. The study also examined the time difference on the balance measures of participants on hard and soft surfaces and with eye open and eyes closed. The participants for the study comprised undergraduate students of the Department of Physical and Health Education of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. 18 participants comprising 7 females and 11 males took part in the study. This study adapted the Romberg balance test. To avoid fatigue of the legs, participants were asked to stop when they are able to maintain balance for up to 5 minutes. Participants were given 5 minutes of rest between each test. The first test was performed with eyes open and then with eyes closed on hard and soft surfaces. The mean age (Female: 26.29 ± 3.04 and Male: 25.43 ± 2.15), weight (Female: 68.29 ± 11.6 and Male: 67.86 ± 6.3) and height (Female: 163.86 ± 7.97 and Male: 177.71 ± 9.83) of the participants. The female participants had a mean static balance test EO measures of 210.43 ± 91.07 and EC measures of 61.71 ± 82.03 while the male participants had a mean static balance test EO measures of 237.14 ± 86.52 and EC measures of 76 ± 75.24 on a hard surface. The female participants had a mean static balance test EO measures of 140.29 ± 99.52 and EC measures of 50.29 ± 47.14 while the male participants had a mean static balance test EO measures of 186.71 ± 133.23 and EC measures of 67.86 ± 77.89 on a soft surface. It was concluded that participants had better static balance measures when eyes were open than when eyes were closed on both hard and soft surfaces.