Differences in postural stability and dynamic visual acuity among healthy young adults in relation to sports activity: a cross sectional study.
Yoshinori Koide, Yoshino Ueki, Yuji Asai and 8 others
PMID 30774205WHAT IT FOUND
Healthy young adults who regularly played sports stood more steadily while turning their head and read numbers more accurately than non-sports peers.
Quiet standing was similar, and the study cannot show sports caused this.
Key findings
01During active head rotation, the sports group had lower angular velocity of body sway than the non-sports group, while quiet standing did not differ.
02During active head rotation, the sports group had a higher dynamic visual acuity percent correct score than the non-sports group.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot show that sports activity caused better balance or visual acuity. Participants were grouped by self-reported sports activity, without measured frequency, intensity, or type of sport. The sample was small and limited to healthy young adults who were free from problems affecting postural control or visual acuity, so it may not apply to patients with balance or vision problems. Other factors that affect balance and visual acuity, such as neuromuscular, sensorimotor, and cognitive function, were not measured.
Declared interests
The paper states that the authors disclose financial and personal relationships that could inappropriately influence or bias the work, but it does not list any specific relationships or funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that sports activity caused better balance or dynamic visual acuity. The study was cross-sectional, grouped participants by self-reported sports habits, and did not test an intervention, so it cannot show cause.