Effects of aerobic exercise on balance and mobility in individuals with visual impairment: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

This meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of aerobic exercise on the balance and mobility of visually impaired individuals and identify potential factors affecting these outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The eligibility criteria for the study included visual impairment in the participant population, type of visual impairment, aerobic exercise intervention, controlled trials, age, design, and outcomes. Data were extracted based on these seven questions, and a narrative synthesis approach was employed for analysis. A comprehensive search of the database yielded 1987 articles, and ultimately, 14 randomized controlled trials involving 685 participants were selected for inclusion.

RESULTS

The study findings indicate that aerobic exercise can greatly enhance the static balance ability [SMD = 1.23, 95%CI 0.80-1.66, p < 0.00001] and dynamic balance ability [SMD = 1.04, 95% CI 0.09-1.99, p = 0.03] of individuals with visual impairment. However, it appeared that mobility did not exhibit significant improvement [SMD = -0.49, 95% CI -1.06 to 0.09, p = 0.10]. Through subgroup analysis, it was found that exercise frequency, age, and degree of visual impairment significantly affect static balance.

CONCLUSIONS

Engaging in aerobic exercise 3-6 times per week, with each session lasting between 30 and 60 min, and continuing for a cycle of 8-16 weeks has been shown to enhance both dynamic and static balance in individuals with visual impairments.

Effect of Core Balance Training on Muscle Tone and Balance Ability in Adult Men and Women

(1) Background: The amount of physical activity most adults perform is less than the recommended amount, and the resulting decrease in physical strength makes them vulnerable to various diseases. A decrease in muscle size and strength due to damage caused by disease or aging negatively affects functional strength. Muscle evaluation in adults can yield results that are predictive indicators of aging and unexpected disability. In addition, balance ability is essential to prevent falls and injuries in daily life and maintain functional activities. It is important to develop and strengthen balance in the lower extremities and core muscles to maintain and enhance overall body balance. This study aimed to analyze the effects of core balance training on muscle tone and balance ability in adults. (2) Methods: The participants of this study were 32 adult male and female university students (male: mean age = 21.3 ± 1.9 years, weight = 74.2 ± 12.6 kg, BMI = 23.4 + 2.5, n = 14; female: mean age = 21.0 ± 1.4 years, weight = 64.6 + 1.2 kg, BMI = 22.4 ± 2.4, n =18). Thirty-two adults (training group: 16, control group: 16; male: 16, female: 16) participated in the Myoton PRO (gastrocnemius lateral/medial, tibialis anterior), Pedalo balance system, and Y-balance test. (3) Results: The following results were obtained for muscle elasticity, stiffness, and dynamic/static balance ability after 10 weeks of core balance training. 1. There was no significant difference in muscle elasticity (gastrocnemius lateral/medial, tibialis anterior) (p < 0.05). 2. Muscle stiffness (gastrocnemius lateral/medial, tibialis anterior) significantly increased (p < 0.05). 3. Dynamic/static balance ability significantly increased (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: In future, data for the age and sex of various participants, should be accumulated by recruiting participants to study muscle characteristics, such as muscle elasticity and stiffness. Estimating the appropriate injury range and optimal exercise capacity is possible through follow-up studies. The findings can then be used as a basis for predicting injuries or determining and confirming the best time to resume exercise.