Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Candidate for PhD sports biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Associated professor of Sports Biomechanics, Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
3
Assistant Professor of Sports Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education,Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22084/rsr.2025.29850.1753
Abstract
Background and Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of vestibular disturbances on lower limb joint angles during walking in healthy active children.
Methods: The present study was conducted on 30 boys aged 7 to 11 years in Tehran who were selected for the study using convenience sampling. The subjects walked a 12-meter path in the laboratory under four different sensory conditions (walking with eyes open, walking with eyes closed, walking with eyes open with vestibular disturbance, and walking with eyes closed with vestibular disturbance). The angles of the hip, thigh, knee, and ankle joints were recorded and extracted using Vicon cameras and marker placement. Data analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance with a significance level of (p≤0.05).
Results: The results of the study showed that a significant effect was observed in the ankle joints (sagittal P=0.001, frontal P=0.000, horizontal P=0.000), knee (sagittal P=0.043, frontal P=0.002, horizontal P=0.000), thigh (sagittal P=0.000, frontal P=0.000, horizontal P=0.000), and hip (sagittal P=0.000, frontal P=0.047, horizontal P=0.000).
Conclusion: The results obtained can consider the necessity of paying attention to strengthening the vestibular sense in children who are more likely to face fewer risks. Therefore, it can be concluded that vestibular disturbances can change the range of motion by changing the angles of the joints and the walking pattern, which is an indication of the compensatory mechanism of maintaining balance. Ultimately, changes in the range of motion, which is a risk factor in imbalance, can lead to injury.
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