title: The human balance system and gender.
abstract: The human body balance system is a complex system of organs and mechanisms, which generate postural reactions to counter the displacement from the equilibrium position of the body centre of gravity, and which control eye movement in order to maintain a stable image of the environment. Computerised Dynamic Posturography (CDP) allows for a quantitative and objective assessment of the sen- sory and motor components of the body balance control system as well as of the integration and adaptive mechanisms in the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to determine the differences, when maintaining body balance, based on the gender of young, healthy people using CDP. The study was carried out on a group of 43 healthy subjects by comparing the effectiveness of the balance system in 22 women and 21 men aged between 20 and 26 years, between 171 and 177 cm in height, and without any clinical symptoms of balance disorders. The men and women were selected such that they did not differ significantly in height and BMI. Using the Equitest posturograph manufactured by NeuroCom International Inc. the following tests were performed: Sensory Organisation Test (SOT), Motor Control Test (MCT) and the Adaptation Test (ADT). The gender of young healthy individuals without any clinical symptoms of balance disorders also does not affect the effectiveness of the sensory system and the use of this signal in maintaining body balance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Grażyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Olchowik
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomaszewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngeal Oncology, SPSK-4, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Olejarz
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warchoł
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Mathematics and Informatics, Scientific University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Różańska-Boczula
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Ryszard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maciejewski
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D005133:Eye Movements; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult