The Effects of Weighted Waist-Hooping

Primary outcomes

1. Balance Error Scoring System (BESS)

   Time frame: baseline

   Participants were instructed to maintain each of the 6 positions for as long as possible and to continue to try until the 20 seconds were complete even if balance was lost, which was counted as an error along with the specific error criteria for this assessment. Total number of errors were recorded for each position according and the summated to provide a total error score. A higher score indicates greater occurrence of error and thus poorer balance.

2. Balance Error Scoring System (BESS)

   Time frame: 6 - weeks

   Participants were instructed to maintain each of the 6 positions for as long as possible and to continue to try until the 20 seconds were complete even if balance was lost, which was counted as an error along with the specific error criteria for this assessment. Total number of errors were recorded for each position according and the summated to provide a total error score. A higher score indicates greater occurrence of error and thus poorer balance.

3. Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT)

   Time frame: baseline

   SEBT was conducted for both the right and left leg reaching. Position on the start was used to indicate where to reach. Reaching across the body with the right foot to the left side and reaching across the body with the left foot to the right side were both defined as a medial reach for the purpose of this study.

4. Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT)

   Time frame: 6 - weeks

   SEBT was conducted for both the right and left leg reaching. Position on the start was used to indicate where to reach. Reaching across the body with the right foot to the left side and reaching across the body with the left foot to the right side were both defined as a medial reach for the purpose of this study.

5. equilibrium scores (EQ scores) of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) on the NeuroCom

   Time frame: baseline

   The SOT parses out contributions and functionality of the visual, somatosensory, and vestibular systems provide information regarding the effects of each system on postural control.8 The EQ score is a composite score calculated by the NeuroCom by weighting each of the 6 conditions of typical and altered stimuli. A score closer to 100 indicates less postural sway and a score closer to 0 indicates more postural sway and increased likelihood of fall.8 An increase in EQ score indicates an improvement in postural control and potentially sensory selection since the purpose of the SOT is to determine if patients are able to appropriately reweight their senses in response to the six different conditions in an effort to maintain postural control.

6. equilibrium scores (EQ scores) of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) on the NeuroCom

   Time frame: 6 - weeks

   The SOT parses out contributions and functionality of the visual, somatosensory, and vestibular systems provide information regarding the effects of each system on postural control.8 The EQ score is a composite score calculated by the NeuroCom by weighting each of the 6 conditions of typical and altered stimuli. A score closer to 100 indicates less postural sway and a score closer to 0 indicates more postural sway and increased likelihood of fall.8 An increase in EQ score indicates an improvement in postural control and potentially sensory selection since the purpose of the SOT is to determine if patients are able to appropriately reweight their senses in response to the six different conditions in an effort to maintain postural control.

7. Core Strength position 1

   Time frame: baseline

   hold a standard bilateral plank position to assess core strength. The duration of time the participant was able to hold each position was recorded. If the participant was unable to attain proper form or unable to complete the task the duration of hold was recorded as 0 seconds. These assessments were conducted before and after the weighted waist-hooping intervention.

8. Core Strength position 1

   Time frame: 6 - weeks

   hold a standard bilateral plank position to assess core strength. The duration of time the participant was able to hold each position was recorded. If the participant was unable to attain proper form or unable to complete the task the duration of hold was recorded as 0 seconds. These assessments were conducted before and after the weighted waist-hooping intervention.

9. Core Strength position 2

   Time frame: baseline

   hold a unilateral plank with the dominant leg raised position to assess core strength. The duration of time the participant was able to hold the position was recorded. If the participant was unable to attain proper form or unable to complete the task the duration of hold was recorded as 0 seconds. These assessments were conducted before and after the weighted waist-hooping intervention.

10. Core Strength position 2

    Time frame: 6 - weeks

    hold a unilateral plank with the dominant leg raised position to assess core strength. The duration of time the participant was able to hold the position was recorded. If the participant was unable to attain proper form or unable to complete the task the duration of hold was recorded as 0 seconds. These assessments were conducted before and after the weighted waist-hooping intervention.