heel height
as possible without stepping or reaching for assistance . Three trials were conducted for data normalization purposes . In TUGT , participants were requested to sit on a standard chair with their back against the chair , arms resting on the chair ’ s arms . They were instructed to walk a 3 m straight line , make turns , walk back to the chair and sit down . Participants were asked to walk at their comfortable speed . The time between the participants ’ buttocks leaving and touching the seat surface was recoded . The fastest among the three testing trials was used for data analysis ( Schoppen et al ., 1999 ).
Perceived stability
Thereafter , the participants were instructed to quantify their perceived stability in FRT on a visual analog scale ( VAS ). The scores range from 0 – 100 . The VAS score of 0 indicates that the participants were perceived as unstable , whereas a score of 100 suggests the most stable situation that can be perceived .
Statistical analysis
All data were presented as mean ± standard deviation ( SD ). The normal distribution of data was examined by the Shapiro – Wilk test . Repeated measurement of ANOVA ( HH * HHS wearing experience ) was conducted to detect the effects of HH and HHS wearing experience on each variable . Simple main effect analysis was used for post hoc comparisons . Significance was set at an alpha level of p = 0.05 . Partial eta-squared ( η2 ) effect size , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ), and F-statistic were reported . Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 statistical software package ( SPSS Inc ., Chicago , USA ). table 3
Comparison of outcome measures ( means ±
Equilibrium score
Inexperienced HHS wearers ( 0.8 cm 3.9 cm 7 cm
C1 93.02 ± 3.72 93.40 ± 2.82 92.46 ± C2 90.76 ± 2.58 91.20 ± 4.21 89.44 ± C3 89.89 ± 4.42 89.91 ± 3.99 88.86 ± C4 85.35 ± 10.46 88.19 ± 9.99 87.78 ± C5 80.11 ± 10.37 79.56 ± 9.39 81.14 ± C6 72.97 ± 10.87 76.81 ± 9.46 77.25 ± COMP 83.52 ± 7.35 84.86 ± 5.94 84.86 ± Strategy score C1 95.06 ± 2.47 84.86 ± 5.94 84.86 ± C2 93.90 ± 2.34 93.40 ± 2.82 92.46 ± C3 94.17 ± 2.01 91.20 ± 4.21 89.44 ± C4 89.24 ± 3.40 89.91 ± 3.99 88.86 ± C5 85.05 ± 4.37 88.19 ± 9.99 87.78 ± C6 84.44 ± 4.33 79.56 ± 9.39 81.14 ± Sensory analysis score SOM 97.86 ± 3.14 97.62 ± 3.32 96.81 ± VIS 91.71 ± 9.56 94.48 ± 9.42 94.90 ± VEST 86.10 ± 10.24 85.10 ± 9.08 87.62 ±
Notes .
SOM : somatosensory score VIS : visual score VEST : vestibular score
*
Inexperienced vs . experienced HHS wearers , p < 0.05 .
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