Introduction
injuries
MEDICAL COMPLICATION
Corresponding Author: M. YamamotoClinical and Translational Impact Statement—Balance exercise using a developed wearable device can improve reactive postural control The methods and results of this study contribute to fall prevention and extension of a healthy lifespan.Reactive postural control is an important component of the balance function for fall prevention. Perturbation-based balance exercises improve reactive postural control; however, these exercises require large, complex instruments and expert medical guidance. This study investigates the effects of unexpected perturbation-based balance exercises using a wearable balance exercise device (WBED) on reactive postural control. Eighteen healthy adult males participated in this study. Participants were assigned to the WBED and Sham groups. In the intervention session, participants in the WBED group randomly underwent unexpected perturbation in the mediolateral direction, while the Sham group performed the same exercises without perturbation. Before and after the intervention session, all participants underwent evaluation of reactive balance function using air cylinders. Peak displacement (D), time at peak displacement (T), peak velocity (V), and root mean square (RMS) of center of pressure (COP) data were measured. For mediolateral and anteroposterior COP (COPML and COPFalls are a major health concern in older individuals because it decreases activities of daily living. Falls and related injuries also cause the risk of long-term admissions into nursing homes To maintain an upright posture against external perturbation, anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) and compensatory postural adjustments (CPAs) are used by the central nervous system. APA is used as a feed-forward postural control that minimizes potential postural change before expected external perturbations occur Reactive postural control is one of the most important components of balance function, which refers to the ability to recover stability after unexpected external perturbation through corrective body movement Recently, many wearable devices have been developed for human health and rehabilitation. Although these wearable devices were small and lightweight, they were also used for feedback on rehabilitation exercises, gait recovery prediction, and prevention of medical complications 