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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07341555

Effect of Squats on Postural Stability, Bilateral Coordination and Dynamic Balance

The aim of this interventional study was to evaluate the immediate effects of a single bout of 30 squats performed on an unstable surface versus a stable surface on postural stability, bilateral coordination, and dynamic balance in healty subjects. We hypothesized that performing squats on an unstable surface would result in significantly greater improvements in these parameters compared to squats on a stable surface. By comparing the immediate effects under randomized conditions, this study seeks to contribute novel insights into the role of surface stability in acute exercise-induced balance adaptations.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Subjects Behavior Motor Activity

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of health promotion and rehabilitation

Kaunas, Kauno M. Sav., 44221, Lithuania

About this study

Despite the growing interest in instability training, there remains a lack of evidence regarding the acute effects of squats performed on stable versus unstable surfaces on key balance-related outcomes, including postural stability, bilateral coordination, and dynamic balance. Filling this gap is essential for informing clinical decision-making and optimizing performance and rehabilitation strategies. The study recruited young, relatively healthy, and physically active individuals-students (n = 42). Inclusion criteria were: 1) age between 18 and 35 years, and 2) voluntary consent to participate. Exclusion criteria were: 1) history of lower limb injury within the past six months, and 2) inability to maintain postural balance during testing.The study applied the following procedures: Participant Data Collection, Leg Length Measurement, Determination of Dominant Leg, Postural Stability Assesment, Dynamic Stability Assessment, and Bilateral coordination assessment.

All assessments were performed under controlled laboratory conditions by the same examiner to ensure reliability. Participants were instructed to avoid caffeine, strenuous exercise, and alcohol consumption for at least 12 hours prior to testing. and their hands placed on their hips.

Participants performed 30 bodyweight squats while standing with their feet shoulder-width apart and their hands placed on their hips. Each squat was executed to approximately 90° of knee flexion at the lowest point. The movements were paced using a metronome, with participants completing 30 squats within 45 seconds to ensure a consistent tempo and intensity.

The test was conducted under two conditions: on a stable surface and on an unstable surface, with a 48-hour interval between the two sessions.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • age between 18 and 35 years,
  • voluntary consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • history of lower limb injury within the past six months,
  • inability to maintain postural balance during testing.

Treatment and study plan

Condition - no exercise before testing

Other

Participants were tested without any exercise

Condition - exercise on unstable surface

Other

Participants performed 30 squats on unstable surface before testing

Condition - exercise on stable surface

Other

Participants performed 30 squats on stable surface before testing

Primary outcomes

  1. Postural stability

    Time frame: Under three conditions (Condition 0, condition 1 an Condition 3) at least 48 hours apart

    Individuals were asked to stand on the platform with both feet barefoot; the platform's instabil-ity level was set to 11 (with 11 representing a predefined setting on the system). Foot position was determined using the Biodex Balance System (BBS) platform, with the cuboid bones serv-ing as anatomical landmarks to ensure that the foot was centred; subjects' arms were positioned on their hips throughout testing. Postural stability tests were measured in 10-second trials with a 10-second rest period between tests, with a total of three trials conducted.

    • Stability index (the lower the index, the better the stability). Overall stability index (Overall), sagittal plane's stability index (Forward/Backward) and frontal plane's stability index (Left/Right).
    • Sway index (the lower the index, the lower the sway)
    • Time in Zone (four zone sizes in percentage provided).
    • Time in Quadrant (percentage of time).

  2. Bilteral Coordination

    Time frame: Under three conditions (Condition 0, condition 1 an Condition 3) at least 48 hours apart.

    Using the Biodex machine the following parameters were measured:

    • Sway index in sagittal plane (Anterior/Posterior direction) while standing on a left leg, hand placed on hips. Lower index meant greater results.
    • Sway index in sagittal plane (Anterior/Posterior direction) while standing on a right leg, hands placed on hips. Lower index meant greater results.
    • Differences in the sway index in the sagittal plane between the two legs. Lower index meant greater results.
    • Sway index in frontal plane (Medial/Lateral direction) while standing on a left leg, hands placed on hips. Lower index meant greater results.
    • Sway index in frontal plane (Medial/Lateral direction) while standing on a right leg, hands placed on hips. Lower index meant greater results.
    • Differences in the sway index in the frontal plane between the two legs. Lower index meant greater results.
    • Overall sway index on the left leg.
    • Overall sway index on the right leg.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Dynamic balance

    Time frame: Under three conditions (Condition 0, condition 1 an Condition 3) at least 48 hours apart

    For Dynamic balance Y Balance test was used. Three attempts each leg were conducted, to anterior, poster-omedial and posterolateral directions. The mean of all three reaches were analysed. Participants were instructed to stand barefoot, maintain a single-leg stance and extend the contralateral leg to reach as far as possible along specified lines. The supporting leg could not move, hands were placed on the hips. Y Balance test's score was calculated using this formula: Normalized Reach Distance = (Sum of reach distances in three directions: Limb length) × 100.

  2. Body hight

    Time frame: Befor testing

    in cm

  3. Body weight

    Time frame: Before testing

    in kg

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Lithuanian Sports University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

IMMEDIATE EFFECTS OF SQUATS PERFORMED ON STABLE AND UNSTABLE SURFACES ON POSTURAL STABILITY, BILATERAL COMPARISON AND DYNAMIC BALANCE

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jan 14, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 15, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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