Research in Sports Management and Movement Behavior

The effect of Task Difficulty and sonification of muscle activity pattern on elderlies balance

Articles in Press

Authors

zahra Bari 1
Mahin aghdaei 1
Alireza Farsi 1
hamidreza kobravi 2

1 Shahid Beheshti University

2 Islamic Azad University

Abstract
The aim of present study was to determine the effect of different levels of balance task difficulty and muscle pattern sonification on balance elderlies. eleve healthy elderly mean age 66/09± 2/26 yr were selected voluntarily. The study inclusion criteria included no structural postural problems, lack of lower extremity fractures over the past six months, no uncorrected visual impairments, no vestibular disorders, and no use of nerve medications, narcotics, alcohol, and any substance leading to dizziness or lack of focus and affecting balance

Participants were asked to stand still on a stable platform under two conditions (with sonification of muscle activity pattern and without feedback) in three difficulty levels (6, 8, and 10). Stability index scores (Overall, Anterior- Posterior and Medial- Lateral) were calculated by Biodex Balance System. The duration of each test was 20 seconds and rest times were 10 seconds. Results showed that with increasing task difficulty, scores of overall balance ,Medial- Lateral balance and Anterior- Posterior balance. In addition, There was a significant reduction in the scores of Overall balance (p= 0/005), anterior - posterior balance (p= 0/002) and medial - lateral balance (p= 0/022) and sonification of muscle activity pattern condition compared with without sonification of muscle activity pattern condition in the level of 6. Overall, the results of this study showed that increasing task difficulty increases postural sway, and the availability of sonification of muscle activity pattern can improve balance and reduce postural sway.

Keywords: Electrical activity, Stability index, Biofeedback , Task Difficulty

Keywords

Keywords: Electrical activity
Stability index
biofeedback
Task difficulty
1. Ghiboalahi, M., Parvinpour, S.h., Balalli, M., & Entezari, Z. The Effect of Task Constraints Manipulation on Balance Indexes of Healthy Elderly. Motor Behavior. 2023; 15(53), 101-112.( In Persian).
2. Strote, C., Gölz, C., Stroehlein, J. K., Haase, F. K., Koester, D., Reinsberger, C., & Vieluf, S. Effects of force level and task difficulty on force control performance in elderly people. Experimental Brain Research. 2020; 238(10), 2179–2188.
3. Eyvarigh, M. R; Mohammadi, F; Azimian, J; Motallebi, S. A.“The effect of a simple balance training program on fall prevention in the elderly women hospitalized in razi psychiatric hospital”. Tehran. Iranian Journal of Rehabilitation Research in Nursing. 2017; 3 (4), 42-48.
4. Sakinepoor A, Letafatkar A, Naderi A, Hashemian AH, Nourozi Z, Alimoradi M. Effect of postural control in individuals with mild cognitive impairment after Pilates training: A clinical trial study. J Gorgan Univ Med Sci. 2021; 23(2): 8-15. ( In Persian)
5. Henschke JU, Ohl FW, Budinger EJFian. Crossmodal connections of primary sensory cortices largely vanish during normal aging. 2018;10:52.

6. Jayakaran, P., Johnson, G.M., Sullivan, S.J. Postural control in response to altered sensory conditions in persons with dysvascular and traumatic transtibial amputation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015; 96(2): 331 – 9.
7. Jeter, P.E., Haaz Moonaz, S., Bittner, A.K., Dagnelie, G. Ashtanga -Based Yoga Therapy increases the sensory contribution to postural stability in visually -impaired persons at risk for falls as measured by the wii balance board: A pilot randomized controlled trial. PloS one. 2015; 10(6): e0129646.
8. Bolger, D., Ting, L.H., Sawers. A. Individuals with transtibial limb loss use interlimb force asymmetries to maintain multi -directional reactive balance control. Clin Biomech. 2014; 29(9): 1039 -47.
9. Barnett, C.T., Vanicek, N., Polman, R.C. Postural responses during volitional and perturbed dynamic balance tasks in new lower limb amputees: A longitudinal study. Gait Posture. 2013; 37(3): 319 -25.
10. Shumway-Cook, A., Woollacott, M. H. Motor control: Translating research into clinical practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. 2016.
11. Behm, D., Colado, J.C. The effectiveness of resistance training using unstable surfaces and devices for rehabilitation. International journal of sports physical therapy. 2012; 7:226.
12. Cimadoro, G., Paizis, C., Alberti, G., Babault, N. Effects of different unstable supports on EMG activity and balance. Neurosci Lett. 2013; 548:228-32.
13. Cleworth, T.W., Peters, R.M., Chua, R., Inglis ,J.T., and Carpenter, M.G. Effects of postural threat on perceptions of lower leg somatosensory stimuli during standing. Front. Neurosci.2023; 17:1191976.
14. Sajedi, R., Shamsipour Dehkoedi, P., GHazaleh, L. The effect of practice distribution and cognitive task difficulty on postural task consolidation. Research on Educational Sport. 2022; 13 (44): 125-148 (In Persian)
15. Gebel, A., Lüder, B., Granacher, U. Efects of increasing balance task difculty on postural sway and muscle activity in healthy adolescents. Front Physiol. 2019.
16. Shafizadeh, M., Parvinpour, S., Balali, M., and Shabani M. Effects of age and task difficulty on postural sway, variability and complexity. Adaptive Behavior.2020.
17. Agrawal, Y., Merfeld, D. M., Horak, F. B., Redfern, M. S., Manor, B., Westlake, K. P., Lipsitz, L. A. (2020). Aging, Vestibular Function, and Balance: Proceedings of a National Institute on Aging/National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Workshop. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A.
18. Herdman, S., Clendaniel, R. A. Vestibular rehabilitation. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company. 2014.

19. Hermann, T., Zehe, S. Sonified Aerobics - Interactive Sonification of coordinated body movements.17th Annual Conference on Auditory Display, Budapest. Worall D, Wersényi G (Eds); Budapest, Hungary: OPAKFI. 2011.
20. Dyer, J. F., Stapleton, P., & Rodger, M. Mapping sonification for perception and action in motor skill learning. Frontiers in neuroscience. 2017; 11, 463.
21. O'Brien, B., Vidal, A., Bringoux, L., & Bourdin, C. (2019). Developing Movement Sonification for Sports Performance. In Interactive Sonification Workshop (ISON 2019).
22. Khalaji, M., Aghdaei, M., Farsi, A. R., & Piras, A. The Effect of Audio-Visual Information on Gaze Behavior in Individuals with Trait Anxiety: Investigating the Role of Multisensory Perception. Sport Psychology Studies. 2021; 10(35), 1-18.( In Persian):
23. Costantini, G., Casali, D., Paolizzo, F., Alessandrini, M., Micarelli, A., Viziano, A., & Saggio, G. Towards the enhancement of body standing balance recovery by means of a wireless audio-biofeedback system. Medical Engineering & Physics. 2018; 54, 74–81.
24. Wulf G. Attentional focus and motor learning: a review of 15 years. International Review of sport and Exercise psychology.2013; 6(1):77-104.
25. Boyer KA, Johnson RT, Banks JJ, Jewell C, Hafer JFJEg. Systematic review and meta-analysis of gait mechanics in young and older adults. 2017; 95:63-70.
26. . Gomes, M.M., Reis, JG, Neves TM, Petrella M, de Abreu DCJIJoG. Impact of aging on balance and pattern of muscle activation in elderly women from different age groups. 2013;7(2):106-11.
27. Beyranvand, R., Sahebo.zamani, M., Daneshjoo, A., & Mollahoseini, S. (2017). The role of vision on balance recovery strategies in the elderly. Journal for Research in Sport Rehabilitation, 5(9), 95–103
28. Govil, K ., Noohu, M.M. Effect of EMG biofeedback training of gluteus maximus muscle on gait parameters in incomplete spinal cord injury. NeuroRehabilitation. 2013; 33: 147–152.
29. Gimmon , Y., Riemer , R., Oddsson, L., & Melzer, I. “The effect of plantar flexor muscle fatigue on postural control”. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 2011; 21(6): 922-928
30. Bruno, M., Matheus , J., Generosi , A., Marco , A., & Junior , C. Effect of muscle fatigue on posture control in soccer Players during the short-pass movement. Review Brasilian Cineantropometria Desempenho Hu.2011; 13(5): 53-348.
31. Arifin, N., Osman, N. A. A., & Abas, W. A. B. W. Intrarater Test-Retest Reliability of Static and Dynamic Stability Indexes Measurement Using the Biodex Stability System during Unilateral Stance. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 2014; 30(2), 300–304. doi:10.1123/jab.2013-0130
32. Gebel, A., Lüder B., Granacher, U. Balance task difculty afects postural sway and cortical activity in healthy adolescents. Experimental Brain Research. 2020; 238:1323–1333 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-020-05810-1
33. Farsi, A., Ahmadi, N., Kavianpoor, H.The Effect of Balance Task Difficulty and Visual Feedback on EMG Activity OF Selected Muscles in Elderly Women. Journal of Shahid Beheshti University Sports Psychology. Autumn& Winter 2020; No.2; Vol. 4:61-75.
34. Lai. Z., Wang, R., Zhou, B., Chen, J., Wang, L. 2023. Difference in the recruitment of intrinsic foot muscles in the elderly under static and dynamic postural conditionsPeerJ 2023;11:e15719.
35. Hasegawa,,N., Takeda, K., Sakuma, M., Mani, H., Maejimac, H., Asakac,T. Learning effects of dynamic postural control by auditory biofeedback versus visual biofeedback training. Gait & Posture. (2017). 58: 188–193.
36. Singer M L., Loringa, K. S,,Leland. E, D., Foreman, K. B.O. Age-Related Difference in Postural Control During Recovery from Posterior and Anterior Perturbations. THE ANATOMICAL RECORD. 2015; 298:346–353.
37. Bagheri, R., Sarmadi, A., Dadashi Arani, L. Learning effects of the biodex balance system during assessment of postural task with in test-retest measurements. Koomesh. 2012; 13 (3): 354 – 361. (In Persian).
38. Hodgson, D.D., King, J.A., Darici, O., Dalton, B.H., Cleworth, T.W., Cluff, T., and Peters, R.M. Visual feedback-dependent modulation of arousal, postural control, and muscle stretch reflexes assessed in real and virtual environments. Front. Hum. Neurosci.2023; 17:1128548.
39. Sienko-Awierianow, E. , Lubkowska, A. , Kolano, P. , Chudecka, M. Postural stability and risk of falls per decade of adult life – a pilot study. Anthropological Review. 2018; 81(1):102 - 109.
40. Hermens, H. J., Freriks, B., Disselhorst-Klug, C., Rau, G. Development of recommendations for SEMG sensors and sensor placement procedures. Journal of electrophysiological Kinesiology. 2000; 10 (5):361-74.
41. Boyas, S., Hajj, M., & Bilodeau, M. Influence of ankle plantarflexor fatigue on postural sway, lower limb articular angles, and postural strategies during unipedal quiet standing. Gait & Posture. 2013; 37(4), 547–551.
42. Corredera, J. M. EMG Sonification as a Tool for Functional Rehabilitation of Spinal-Cord Injury. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. 2023; 629--632.
43. Yang, J., Hunt, A. Real-time Sonification of Biceps Curl Exercise Using Muscular Activity and Kinematics 2015.
44. Frid, E., Bresin, R., Pysander, E. L. S., & Moll, J. An exploratory study on the effect of auditory feedback on gaze behavior in a virtual throwing task with and without haptic feedback. Sound and Music Computing (SMC).2017; 242-249.
45. Schedler , S., Leifeld,P., Seidel, T., Brueckner, D., & Muehlbauer. T. Efects of task difculty during practice on learning a dynamic balance task in healthy young adults: An intervention study. 2021; 14:235.
46. Boudrahem, R., & Rougier P. “Relation between postural control assessment with eyes open and centre of pressure visual feedback effects in healthy individuals”. Experimental Brain Research.2009; 195(1): 145–152.
47. Sahebozamani, M., Salari, A., Daneshjoo, A. H., Karimi Afshar, F. The Effect of Eliminating Visual Feedback on The Balance Recovery Strategies in Deaf Individuals. Sport Medicine Studies. Spring & Summer.2019; 11(25): 81-96. (In Persian)
48. Rajabtabar M, Eslami M, Memmarmoghadam M. The effect of training with external sensory timing on average of speed and center of pressure amplitude of static and dynamic balance of the elderlies. Journal of Sports medicine. 2020. (In Persian).
49. Nascimento CM, Lucena LD, Lima ÁR, Lima JC, Lins CC, Coriolano MD. Immediate effect of rhythmic auditory stimulation on the spatio-temporal parameters of gait in old people: a pilot study. Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia. 2020;23(3).
50. Gevorki, H., Farsi, A., Abdoli, B., Sori, S. The Effect of Physical Exercise on Controlling Balance among the Visually Impaired Elderly using Auditory-Vibratory Alarming Feedback Device. J Res Rehabil Sci. 2018; 14(5): 266-73. (in Persian).
51. Rizzolatti, G., & Sinigaglia, C. The mirror mechanism: a basic principle of brain function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2016; 17(12), 757–765.
52. Proverbio, A.M., Zani, A. Mirror Neurons in Action: ERPs and Neuroimaging Evidence. In: Boggio, P.S., Wingenbach, T.S.H., da Silveira Coêlho, M.L., Comfort, W.E., Murrins Marques, L., Alves, M.V.C. (eds) Social and Affective Neuroscience of Everyday Human Interaction. 2023; Springer, Cham.
53. Woollacott, M. Changes in posture control across the life span--a systems approach. Phys Ther. 1990; 799- 807.
54. Ramezanzade. H, Abdoli. B., Farsi. A.R., Sanjari. M.A. Perception- Action Transfer: The Role of Audiovisual Integration. Motor Behavior. Winter 2017; 8 (26): 35-56. (In Persian(
Research in Sports Management and Movement Behavior

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 October 2020