The Effect of Local-Indigenous Games and Neuro-Muscular Exercises on Static and Dynamic Balance in Obese Children

Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of neuromuscular exercises (NE) and local-indigenous games (LIG) on the static and dynamic balance of obese children. Methods: Thirty obese children were randomly assigned to NE (n=15, mean age 10.47 ± 2.1 years, body mass index 29.15 ± 3.01 kg/m2) or LIG (n=15, mean age 10.67 ± 1.52 years, body mass index 29.45 ± 3.41 kg/m2) groups. Both groups underwent 12 training sessions, during which dynamic and static balance were measured with the Biodex device before and after training. ANCOVA and independent t-test were used to compare balance indices between the two groups. Results: There were no significant differences in static anterior-posterior balance between NE (0.82 ± 0.10) and LIG (0.68 ± 0.09). Similarly, no significant differences were found in static lateral-medial balance (NE: 0.82 ± 0.10; LIG: 0.68 ± 0.09) (p>0.05). Moreover, dynamic anterior-posterior balance did not differ significantly between NE (0.79 ± 0.08) and LIG (0.97 ± 0.26). Neither did dynamic lateral-medial balance (NE: 0.74 ± 0.10; LIG: 0.93 ± 0.15) (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that both NE and LIG are effective in improving balance indices in obese children. However, there were no significant differences between the two interventions.