Analysis of postural balance between two aquatic sports using vertical vs. horizontal body position: Analysis of postural balance between two aquatic sports

OBJECTIVE: This study aims
to analyze and compare the postural balance
between two aquatic sports where vertical vs.
horizontal body positions (i.e., windsurfing vs.
swimming) are key techniques for both sports.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eight volunteer
windsurfers and eight swimmers agreed to participate
in this study. Each of the assessments
was a 2D kinematic analysis of frontal and/or
sagittal balance (i.e., in bipedal and/or unipedal
stance) of the center of mass velocity on wobble
board (Single Plane Balance Board) on hard
and/or soft surface. Kinematic analysis was performed
in 2D using two action-cams. Data were
digitized using the video-based data analysis
system SkillSpector.
RESULTS: The results showed that the
ANOVA, with repeated measures on 1 factor,
showed a significant difference (pgroups (i.e., swimmers and windsurfers)
in all variables and in the interaction between
ground (i.e., hard and foam) and group (pin all tests in sagittal plane. Furthermore, for the
ground*group interaction, a study (i.e., paired
t-test) of the difference between balance (i.e., in
frontal and/or sagittal plane) on hard and soft
ground for each group showed that windsurfers
had no difference in body sway in frontal and/or
sagittal plane between hard and soft surface in
bipedal stance.
CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the windsurfers
showed better postural balance performances
compared to swimmers in the bipedal
posture on hard and soft ground. Also, the windsurfers
presented a better stability level compared
with the swimmers.