by Maintaining balance and posture becomes more challenging as people age, increasing their risk of falls and fall-related injuries. In a recent study published in the IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine, a research team from the Tokyo University of Science (TUS) developed a groundbreaking wearable balance exercise device (WBED) that enables individuals to perform balance exercises at home.
Traditionally, specialized balance exercise machines were used for therapeutic purposes, but they were bulky, expensive, and complex, making them suitable only for clinical settings. The TUS research team aimed to create a more practical and accessible device that would allow individuals to perform balance exercises comfortably at home.
The WBED is a lightweight wearable device that utilizes two pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) to generate unexpected perturbations. These PAMs, resembling shoulder straps or suspenders, can extend or contract by regulating the air pressure inside them. The device includes electronically controlled valves connected to a can of compressed gas, allowing a computer program or smartphone application to control the valves and create a force that pulls the user sideways in a specific direction.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the WBED, the researchers conducted a study involving 18 healthy adult males. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: the WBED group and the sham group. Both groups underwent an evaluation of reactive balance, where they had to hold a tandem stance while being pushed laterally by air cylinders. The WBED group then performed balance training with the device, while the sham group performed the same exercises without unexpected perturbations. A second evaluation was done to assess improvements in postural control.
The researchers measured various variables during the evaluations, including peak displacement, time at peak displacement, peak velocity, and root mean square of the soles’ center of pressure. The results revealed that the participants in the WBED group exhibited lower displacement and peak velocity after exercising with the device. The study concluded that perturbation-based balance exercises using the WBED significantly enhance reactive postural control.
Dr. Masataka Yamamoto, the lead researcher, stated, “Our results prove that perturbation-based balance exercises using WBED immediately improve the subjects’ reactive postural control.” He further emphasized that wearable exercise devices like the WBED could play a crucial role in preventing falls and fall-related injuries.
The WBED has the potential to revolutionize balance training for individuals prone to falls, particularly in countries with aging populations. The device is designed to be lightweight, portable, and user-friendly, weighing only 0.9 kg and taking less than three minutes to put on. Dr. Yamamoto highlighted that regular training with the WBED could efficiently enhance postural control and responsiveness, leading to a decreased risk of falls and an overall improvement in health.
Besides the elderly, the WBED may also be beneficial for athletes seeking to enhance their balance and prevent injuries. With its innovative design and potential range of applications, the WBED has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of balance training and fall prevention.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
