The relationship between cognitive functions and postural stability in university students

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cognitive functions and postural stability in university students. Material and methods: The research sample comprised 40 students from the Faculty of Health Care Professions at the University of Prešov in Prešov (age: 21.08±2.04 years; height: 1.74±0.09 m; weight: 69.93±11.83 kg; BMI: 23.10±2.50 kg/m²), divided by sex into male (n=20; age: 21.00 ±1.84 years; height: 1.74±0.09 m; weight: 78.20±10.18 kg) and female (n=20; age: 21.15 ±2.22 years; height: 1.73±0.09 m; weight: 61.65±7.05 kg). Posturographic parameters like travelled distance and ellipse surface area were assessed using the FootScan® baropodometric platform (Materialise Motion, Paal, Belgium), monitoring latero-lateral and antero-posterior foot loading. Results: Our analysis revealed significantly higher anterior foot loading (p = 0.01) and sex-specific changes in postural control during cognitive tasks. Men showed increased left lower limb and anterior/forefoot loading across all cognitive tasks (p < 0.05), while women primarily had increased anterior/forefoot loading (p = 0.01) and a significant effect on travelled distance (p = 0.001) during verbal fluency. Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate a significant association between cognitive functions and postural stability among university students, particularly regarding latero-lateral and antero-posterior loading.