Introduction: Balance is inborn ability, which with interaction of sensory and motor systems sustains, re-establishes, and maintains body’s center of gravity within the boundaries of support surface. Information from somatosensory system have an important role, because when feet are in contact with surface, the skin mechanoreceptors influence postural control. The use of textured materials increases proprioceptive input to central nervous system and contributes to person’s balance. Purpose: To find out and research the effect on static balance by standing on textured materials. Methods: There was 19 volunteers included in this study, which were older than 18 years old. With the use of experimental method, we performed measurements of postural sway while standing in different textured materials. We used force plate and two different textured mats, on which the volunteer stood with their eyes closed in a period of one minute. Results: Statistic analysis of collected data is showing significant differences in average values. The use of textured materials has effects on postural sway and static balance. There are statistically significant differences in speed of body sway and in amplitude of anterior-posterior sway when standing on plastic rug with eyes closed. Discussion and conclusions: The use of different textured materials has some effects on static balance and postural stability. Parameters of balance measurements depend on the shape of textured material and subjective opinion of investigated volunteers. With control measurement we showed, that textured materials also have short-term effects on quiet standing. Appropriate it would be to do more research of long-term effects on static balance with the use of textured materials and do additional research with Sissel StepFit mat.
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