Relationship between anthropometric measures, body composition, and postural balance in visually impaired judo athletes

Abstract

Introduction: Judo is a sport practiced by individuals with visual impairments, with the main objective is the imbalance of the opponent. A study to determine the balance of athletes with visual impairment and their relationship with anthropometric variables, which can also influence the balance, is relevant, since the results may provide important information for the planning of more effective training for sporty performance and possibly injury prevention. Objective: To investigate postural control and its relationship with anthropometric variables and body composition in judoists with visual impairment. Methods: Sectional study with 17 judoists with visual impairment. Measurements of weight, height, perimeters, skinfolds thickness and diameters were used to estimate body composition. Postural control was assessed on bipedal stance with eyes closed and blindfolded using a force platform. The elliptical area of 95% confidence interval (AREA; mm2) and the mean displacement velocity (VEL; mm/s) were
calculated. The correlations between the variables were verified with the Spearman correlation coefficient with bootstrap analysis (500 re-runs and 95% confidence interval) and the comparison between athletes with low vision (functional classification = B2 / B3) and total vision loss (Functional classification = B1) was made with the Mann-Whitney test. Results: The AREA correlated positively and moderately (p <0.05) with weight, height, perimeters of lower and central limbs, sum of cutaneous folds and fat mass; and negatively with judo practice time. No correlation was found with VEL (p-values> 0.05). The B1 and B2 / B3 groups were similar in relation to the postural control (AREA; p = 1.00 and VEL; p = 0.85). Conclusion: Postural control of judoists seems to be similar regardless of the degree of visual loss. Anthropometric variables, mainly related to body fat and height, besides the time of judo practice, seem to be associated with greater postural oscillation.