Bruce Protocol Test affects Postural Stability in Healthy Young Adults

Maintaining balance is key in avoiding falls and injury. However, little is known on how increased cardiac activity may affect postural stability. This study investigated if increase in cardiac activity to 85% maximal heart rate (HR) when exercising with standard Bruce Protocol Test (BPT) influence postural sway. Ten young adults were tested for three postural stances, quiet bilateral standing with i) eyes open, ii) eyes closed, and iii) tandem stance, before and after performing the BPT. Resting Heart Rate (HR) and HR variability along with standard postural sway parameters like sway velocity, sway area, turn index, and power frequency in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions were evaluated. We found significant increases in postural sway values for turn index values due to HR changes. Thus, balance demanding tasks may be avoided immediately after performing submaximal cardiac activities in order to avoid fall risk and injury.