Volume 12, Issue 1 (6-2026)                   J Sport Biomech 2026, 12(1): 136-153 | Back to browse issues page

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Mansoori M, Ilbeigi S, Fatahi A. Effects of Vestibular Disturbances on Lower-Limb Muscle Activation in Active Children During the Stance Phase of Gait. J Sport Biomech 2026; 12 (1) :136-153
URL: http://biomechanics.iauh.ac.ir/article-1-435-en.html
Effects of Vestibular Disturbances on Lower-Limb Muscle Activation in Active Children During the Stance Phase of Gait
Morteza Mansoori1 , Saeed Ilbeigi *2 , ALi Fatahi1
1- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Sports Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
Abstract:   (20 Views)
Objective The vestibular system is one of the primary components involved in maintaining balance, and its dysfunction can influence gait biomechanics. This study aimed to examine the effect of vestibular disturbances on the electrical activity of selected lower-limb muscles in active children during the stance phase of walking.
Methods This study was conducted on 30 boys aged 7–11 years in Tehran, selected through convenience sampling. An 8-channel EMG system was used to record the electrical activity of selected lower-limb muscles across four sensory conditions: walking with eyes open, walking with eyes closed, walking with eyes open with vestibular disturbance, and walking with eyes closed with vestibular disturbance. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and MANOVA at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.
Results Significant changes were observed in the activity of the biceps femoris (p = 0.001), soleus (p = 0.001), and peroneus longus (p = 0.034) across different walking conditions. No significant differences were found in the right quadriceps (p = 0.304), the medial hamstring (p = 0.222), or the tibialis anterior (p = 0.054).
Conclusion The findings suggest that imbalance induced by vestibular disturbances can alter the activation patterns of lower-limb muscles during walking, potentially leading to long-term gait deviations. These results highlight the importance of strengthening vestibular function in children to reduce potential mobility-related risks later in life.
Keywords: Vestibular disturbances, Muscle electrical activity, Gait, Active children
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Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2025/09/4 | Accepted: 2025/11/16 | Published: 2025/11/17
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