title: Mechanisms underlying center of pressure displacements in obese subjects during quiet stance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  the aim of this study was to assess whether reduced balance capacity in obese subjects is secondary to altered sensory information.
  
  
  METHODS
  cross sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  44 obese (BMI = 40.6 ± 4.6 kg/m2, age = 34.2 ± 10.8 years, body weight: 114,0 ± 16,0 Kg, body height 167,5 ± 9,8 cm) and 20 healthy controls (10 females, 10 males, BMI: 21.6 ± 2.2 kg/m2, age: 30.5 ± 5.5 years, body weight: 62,9 ± 9,3 Kg, body height 170,1 ± 5,8 cm) were enrolled.
  
  
  METHODS
  center of pressure (CoP) displacements were evaluated during quiet stance on a force platform with eyes open (EO) and closed (EC). The Romberg quotient (EC/EO) was computed and compared between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  we found statistically significant differences between obese and controls in CoP displacements (p < 0.01) and no statistically significant differences in Romberg quotients (p > 0.08).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the increased CoP displacements in obese subjects do not need an hypothesis about altered sensory information. The integration of different sensory inputs appears similar in controls and obese. In the latter, the increased mass, ankle torque and muscle activity may probably account for the higher CoP displacements.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Unit and Clinical Lab for Gait and Posture Analysis, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Piancavallo, Verbania (VB), Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Menegoni
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tacchini
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bigoni
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vismara
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Priano
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Capodaglio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D056228:Feedback, Sensory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult