Improvement of postural stability by a self-mobilization exercise program

This study was designed to understand the influence of a spine self-mobilization exercise program on postural stability in the antero-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) directions. The center of pressure (CoP) was quantified while young healthy adults were standing with eyes open and closed. Results revealed that the exercise group reduced postural sway in the AP direction only during the eyes closed condition. Neither exercise nor control groups showed a significant change in postural sway during the eyes open condition. These findings indicate that postural sway decreased only when visual feedback was eliminated. It appears that the improvement of postural stability by the exercise program used in this study is dominated by other systems (e.g., proprioceptive and vestibular systems, motor commands), rather than visual systems. Additionally, the decreased sway was found in the AP direction only. Thus, effects of the exercise program appear to be direction dependent.