The Effect of the Nine-Square Step Dance on the Postural Stability of Overweight Female Undergraduate Students: A Randomized Trial

Abstract

Obesity impacts balance by increasing mechanical constraints and reducing plantar mechanoreceptors. The nine-square step dance is an exercise adapted from the Wii balance board exercise. It is low in cost and has the same effectiveness as the aforementioned board exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the nine-square step dance on the postural control of overweight undergraduate women. Twenty-four female undergraduate students with overweight, aged 18 - 25 years, were randomly allocated into the intervention and control groups. The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), Dot Drill Test (DDT), and 4 Step Square Test (FSST) were measured in both groups at the beginning of each week of a 4-week research period. The intervention group was trained in nine-square step dance exercises for 30 min/day for 3 days/week over 4 weeks.  Repeated measure ANOVA was used for the comparison within and between the groups. After exercising with the nine-square step dance for 4 weeks, there were significant differences between the intervention and control groups in their SEBT score both stance leg and the 3 directions, anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral direction. Agility and coordination were not significantly different between the 2 groups. In conclusion, the nine-square step dance had an impact on the postural control in overweight undergraduate women. HIGHLIGHTS The increased weight impact balance by increasing mechanical constraints and reducing the plantar mechanoreceptors The changing of joint sense and plantar mechanoreceptors affect the defect of postural control and balance in overweight The nine-square step dance exercise, adapted from the Wii balance board exercise, improved the weight shifting in all 3 directions, anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. This impact on the postural control of overweight GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT