@article{ref1,
title="Balance and musculoskeletal flexibility in children with obesity: a cross-sectional study",
journal="Annals of Saudi medicine",
year="2020",
author="Bataweel, Essraa A. and Ibrahim, Alaa I.",
volume="40",
number="2",
pages="120-125",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Studies on the influence of obesity on different physical parameters such as postural balance and musculoskeletal flexibility are limited and have reported varying results. <br><br>OBJECTIVES: Measure effect of childhood obesity on balance and musculoskeletal flexibility in Saudi children. <br><br>DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Physiotherapy laboratory. <br><br>SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included a representative sample of Saudi elementary school children selected from a convenience sample of 150 children. Balance was examined using the Biodex balance system. Calf muscle flexibility was measured by the weight-bearing ankle lunge test while the chest flexibility was measured by the chest expansion test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postural stability indices and flexibility parameters. SAMPLE SIZE: 90 elementary school children aged 6 to 11 years, 47 of normal weight and 43 obese children. <br><br>RESULTS: All stability indices at different stability levels were significantly impaired in children with obesity ( P≤.05). In terms of musculo-skeletal flexibility, the weight-bearing lunge test distance was shorter in children with obesity ( P=.01). In the chest expansion test, there was no significant difference between the two groups ( P=.32). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Postural balance at different stability levels was impaired in children with obesity and in all planes. The calf muscles were less flexible in obese children. LIMITATIONS: Unblinded, convenience sample so findings are not generalizable. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0256-4947",
doi="10.5144/0256-4947.2020.120",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.2020.120"
}