Effects of 8 weeks aquatic exercises on balance recovery strategies and center of pressure sways in blind women: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Visual impairment presents significant challenges to mobility and daily activities, often resulting in a sedentary lifestyle and decreased physical fitness. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week aquatic exercise protocol on balance recovery strategies and center of pressure (COP) sways in blind women. A total of 30 participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EX, n = 15) or a control group (CO, n = 15). Balance recovery parameters, including hip sways, ankle sways, and the ratio of hip sways to ankle sways, were assessed using motion analysis, while COP sways were measured using a force platform. The aquatic exercise protocol focused on enhancing the somatosensory system through a variety of targeted exercises. The results revealed a significant improvement in balance recovery strategies among participants in the EX group, characterized by reduced hip sways, increased ankle sways, and a decreased hip sways/ankle sways ratio in both anterior–posterior and posterior–anterior directions. Moreover, COP sways significantly decreased, as indicated by reductions in ellipse area and traveled distance in both directions. These findings suggest that the aquatic exercise protocol facilitated a shift from a hip-dominant to an ankle-based strategy, indicating improved adaptive balance recovery mechanisms. The reduced COP sways further indicate enhanced postural stability. These positive outcomes underscore the effectiveness of targeted aquatic interventions in enhancing physical capabilities and overall balance in blind women. Including such exercises in rehabilitation programs may contribute to reducing fall risks and improving the quality of life for individuals with visual impairments.