POSTURAL CONTROL VARIES WITH TIME OF DAY

Gribble, P., tucker, W. S., & White, P. A. (2006). The effects of time of day on static and dynamic postural control. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 2407.

This study determined the influence of time of day on static and dynamic postural control. Ss (M = 12; F = 17), were tested on six occasions over a 48-hour period during which static and dynamic postural control was assessed at three times (10:00, 15:00, and 20:00) on both days. Static postural control was assessed over three trials of 30 seconds in a single limb stance on the dominant limb using a force-plate with eyes open and closed conditions. Dynamic postural control was assessed with the anterior reach of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) using the dominant limb. Three reaches were averaged and the reach distances were normalized to leg length.

A variety of measures were associated with a time and postural control interaction.

Implication. The influence of time of day postural control may be better in the mornings than in the afternoons.

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