Backward walking training improves balance in school-aged boys.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate whether backward walking (BW) training improves balance in school-aged boys compared to forward walking (FW).
Results Summary
The study found that BW training significantly improved balance in the experimental group after 8 weeks, with effects persisting at 12 weeks. Kinematic analysis showed differences between BW and FW (e.g., longer stance phase in BW) but no differences between groups in gait kinematics post-training.
Population
Sixteen healthy boys aged 7.19 ± 0.40 years.
Effective Dosage
25 minutes per session, 2 times weekly.
Duration
12 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
backward walking training program | increase | balance | healthy boys | - | was better than | #1 |
backward walking training program | increase | balance | healthy boys | - | was still better than | #2 |
backward walking training program | no change | kinematics of both forward walking and backward walking gaits | healthy boys | - | there was no difference | #3 |
backward walking | increase | duration of stance phase | healthy boys | - | tended to be longer | #4 |
backward walking | decrease | swing phase | healthy boys | - | decreased | #5 |
backward walking | decrease | stride length | healthy boys | - | decreased | #6 |
backward walking | decrease | walking speed | healthy boys | - | decreased | #7 |
backward walking | decrease | moving ranges of the thigh | healthy boys | - | decreased | #8 |
backward walking | decrease | moving ranges of the calf | healthy boys | - | decreased | #9 |
backward walking | decrease | moving ranges of the foot | healthy boys | - | decreased | #10 |
BACKGROUND: Falls remain a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. It is suggested that backward walking (BW) may offer some benefits especially in balance and motor control ability beyond those experienced through forward walking (FW), and may be a potential intervention for prevention of falls. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of BW on balance in boys. METHODS: Sixteen healthy boys (age: 7.19 ± 0.40 y) were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The experimental group participated in a BW training program (12-week, 2 times weekly, and 25-min each time) but not the control group. Both groups had five dynamic balance assessments with a Biodex Stability System (anterior/posterior, medial/lateral, and overall balance index) before, during and after the training (week- 0, 4, 8, 12, 24). Six control and six experimental boys participated in a study comparing kinematics of lower limbs between FW and BW after the training (week-12). RESULTS: The balance of experimental group was better than that of control group after 8 weeks of training (P < 0.01), and was still better than that of control group (P < 0.05), when the BW training program had finished for 12 weeks. The kinematic analysis indicated that there was no difference between control and experimental groups in the kinematics of both FW and BW gaits after the BW training (P > 0.05). Compared to FW, the duration of stance phase of BW tended to be longer, while the swing phase, stride length, walking speed, and moving ranges of the thigh, calf and foot of BW decreased (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Backward walking training in school-aged boys can improve balance.