Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior negatively impact postural balance and gait

Abstract

Background: The benefits of physical activity (PA) do not depend on the PA level, but also on sedentary behavior (SB). An interaction between PA and SB (i.e., PA-SB interplay) is important to determine one’s health status. This study explored the effect of PA-SB interplay on balance and gait in healthy young adults.Methods: Healthy young adults (n = 133, 18-35 yrs) were placed in four PA-SB interplay groups using the American College of Sports Medicine PA guidelines (i.e., sedentary active [>6hr/day, >150min/week], sedentary inactive [>6hr/day, <150min/week], physically active [<6hr/day, >150min/week] and physically inactive [<6hr/day, <150min/week]). Participants’ balance and gait were assessed with inertial measurement units placed on seven bodily sites. Significance level was set at p < 0.1. Results: Sway acceleration RMS during eyes closed on stable surface in the balance test showed a statistically significant difference among the PA-SB interplay groups (p = 0.055) which was found between sedentary active and physically inactive (p = 0.066). Anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) duration during gait showed a statistically significant difference among the PA-SB interplay groups (p = 0.010) which was found between sedentary inactive and physically active (p = 0.019) and between sedentary active and physically active (p = 0.026). Conclusion: PA-SB interplay influences static (sway acceleration RMS) and dynamic balance (APA duration) of healthy young adults. Findings suggest that somatosensory processing during balance and gait initiation are significantly impacted by PA-SB interplay. Future studies should explore PA-SB interplay on balance and gait in elderly and diseased populations.