Influence of Anaerobic and Aerobic Exercises on the Center of Pressure During an Upright Posture

This study was designed to examine the influence of anaerobic and aerobic exercise, using a cycle ergometer, on upright standing postural control in addition to physiological and psychological responses. During an upright standing posture, 15 healthy male participants were measured for center of pressure (COP), physiological parameters (heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and blood lactate concentration), and the ratio of perceived exertion before and after the exercises. They performed a maximal voluntary pedaling exercise for 10 seconds two times under anaerobic exercise conditions and then at 50% of maximal aerobic power for 60 minutes at 60 rpm under aerobic exercise conditions. Measurements were conducted before, immediately after and at 5, 10 and 15 minutes after the exercises. Body sway was recorded by a COP measurement device G5500 (ANIMA, Japan) with three vertical load sensors. COP sway was assessed by mean position of COP sway in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions as well as the sway area and path length. Three COP parameters regarding sway area and velocity were significantly higher immediately after the exercises than at the other times. In conclusion, the influence of the two exercise protocols on postural control is detected by sway area and velocity. However, the exercise-induced increase of sway velocity recovers earlier than the physiological parameters (heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and blood lactate concentration). It would appear that both prolonged aerobic exercise and high-intensity anaerobic exercise have a relatively small influence on upright standing postural control in healthy young males.