Acute Effects of Oculomotor Exercises on Posturography and Gait Analysis Parameters in Regular Exercisers (OMEX-PG)

The Acute Effects of Oculomotor Exercises on Static Posturography and Gait Analysis Parameters in Regular Exercisers

This study aims to investigate the acute effects of a single-session oculomotor exercise program on static posturography and gait analysis parameters in healthy individuals who exercise regularly. Postural control and gait are complex sensorimotor functions that depend on the integration of visual, vestibular, somatosensory, and motor systems. Eye movements and gaze stabilization may contribute to postural orientation and locomotor control by influencing visual-vestibular integration, head-eye coordination, and sensorimotor adaptation. However, the immediate effects of short-duration oculomotor exercise programs on postural sway and gait-related parameters in regular exercisers have not been fully clarified.

This study is designed as a single-group, within-session, pre-post interventional study. Participants will undergo baseline assessments, complete a single session of oculomotor exercises, and then be reassessed after the intervention in the same testing session. The study population will consist of healthy adults who exercise regularly and meet the predefined eligibility criteria. Individuals with musculoskeletal injury, neurological or vestibular disorders, visual conditions that may affect balance or eye movement performance, or any condition limiting participation in the testing procedures will be excluded.

Static posturography will be performed using the HUR SmartBalance BTG4 system to evaluate postural sway under different sensory conditions. Measurements will be obtained during quiet standing with eyes open on a firm surface, eyes closed on a firm surface, eyes open on a foam surface, and eyes closed on a foam surface. The main posturography variables will include sway area, trace length, sway velocity, lateral sway, and anterior-posterior sway.

Gait analysis will be performed before and after the intervention using the DIERS Pedogait system. Spatiotemporal, phase-related, and center-of-pressure-based gait parameters will be recorded. These parameters may include step length, stride length, step time, stride time, track width, cadence, stance phase, swing phase, double support, pre-swing, and center-of-pressure-related gait variables.

The oculomotor exercise program will include three main components: extraocular eye movement exercises, vestibulo-ocular and cervico-ocular gaze stabilization exercises, and accommodation exercises. During extraocular eye movement exercises, participants will be asked to follow a visual target with eye movements while keeping the head stable. During gaze stabilization exercises, participants will maintain visual fixation on a target while performing controlled head movements and walking steps. During accommodation exercises, participants will alternate focus between a near target and a distant target. The exercises will be performed at different speeds to stimulate oculomotor control, gaze stabilization, and visual focusing mechanisms.

The primary outcome of the study is the change in sway area from baseline to the post-intervention assessment. Secondary outcomes include changes in other static posturography parameters and gait analysis variables. By evaluating both postural sway and gait-related outcomes, this study aims to provide preliminary evidence on whether a short oculomotor exercise session may produce immediate changes in postural control and walking characteristics in regular exercisers.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Exercise; Postural Balance; Gait Analysis; Oculomotor System
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Oculomotor Exercise Program

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 51
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Bornova
    • Izmir, Bornova, Turkey (Türkiye), 35100
      • Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Sports Medicine

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy adults aged 18 to 50 years
• Regular participation in exercise
• Ability to walk independently without an assistive device
• Ability to understand and follow the study procedures
• Ability to complete the oculomotor exercise program, static posturography assessment, and gait analysis
• Provision of written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute musculoskeletal injury or pain that could affect balance, gait, or exercise performance
• Neurological disease that could affect balance, gait, or oculomotor control
• Vestibular disorder or current symptoms of dizziness or vertigo
• Visual or ocular disorder that could affect visual fixation, eye movements, or balance assessment
• Use of medication that could affect balance, coordination, alertness, or gait
• Inability to walk independently
• Inability to complete the oculomotor exercise intervention or assessment procedures
• Any medical condition considered by the investigator to interfere with safe participation or the validity of the assessments

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Oculomotor Exercise Group; Participants in this single-arm group will receive a single-session oculomotor exercise program. Static posturography and gait analysis assessments will be performed before and after the intervention within the same testing session.

Behavioral: Oculomotor Exercise Program; The intervention consists of a single-session oculomotor exercise program including extraocular eye movement exercises, vestibulo-ocular and cervico-ocular gaze stabilization exercises, and accommodation exercises. During extraocular eye movement exercises, participants will follow a visual target with eye movements while keeping the head stable. During gaze stabilization exercises, participants will maintain visual fixation on a target while performing controlled head movements and walking steps. During accommodation exercises, participants will alternate visual focus between a near target and a distant target. Exercises will be performed at different speeds within the same session.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Sway Area Under Four Sensory Conditions	Sway area was assessed during 30 seconds of quiet standing using the HUR SmartBalance BTG4 static posturography system. Measurements were obtained under four sensory conditions: eyes open on a firm surface, eyes closed on a firm surface, eyes open on a foam surface, and eyes closed on a foam surface. Condition-specific sway area values were expressed using the same unit of measure (mm²). The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the single-session oculomotor exercise intervention was evaluated separately for each sensory condition..	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Trace Length Under Four Sensory Conditions	Trace length was assessed during 30 seconds of quiet standing using the HUR SmartBalance BTG4 static posturography system. Measurements were obtained under eyes-open firm-surface, eyes-closed firm-surface, eyes-open foam-surface, and eyes-closed foam-surface conditions. Condition-specific trace length values were expressed using the same unit of measure (mm). The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each sensory condition.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Single-Support Phase Percentage	Right and left single-support phase values were assessed during barefoot treadmill walking at 3 km/h using the DIERS Pedogait system. Single support was expressed as a percentage of the gait cycle. The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each side.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Sway Velocity Under Four Sensory Conditions	Sway velocity was assessed during 30 seconds of quiet standing using the HUR SmartBalance BTG4 static posturography system. Measurements were obtained under eyes-open firm-surface, eyes-closed firm-surface, eyes-open foam-surface, and eyes-closed foam-surface conditions. Condition-specific sway velocity values were expressed using the same unit of measure (mm/s) . The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each sensory condition.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Mediolateral Sway Under Four Sensory Conditions	Mediolateral sway was assessed during 30 seconds of quiet standing using the HUR SmartBalance BTG4 static posturography system. Measurements were obtained under eyes-open firm-surface, eyes-closed firm-surface, eyes-open foam-surface, and eyes-closed foam-surface conditions. Condition-specific mediolateral sway values were expressed using the same unit of measure (mm). The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each sensory condition.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Anteroposterior Sway Under Four Sensory Conditions	Anteroposterior sway was assessed during 30 seconds of quiet standing using the HUR SmartBalance BTG4 static posturography system. Measurements were obtained under eyes-open firm-surface, eyes-closed firm-surface, eyes-open foam-surface, and eyes-closed foam-surface conditions. Condition-specific anteroposterior sway values were expressed using the same unit of measure (mm). The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each sensory condition.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Romberg Quotient on Firm and Foam Surfaces	The Romberg quotient was calculated using static posturography measurements obtained during eyes-open and eyes-closed standing. Separate Romberg quotient values were calculated for the firm and foam surfaces using the HUR SmartBalance BTG4 system. Both values were expressed using the same unit of measure. The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each surface.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Step Length	Right and left step length values were assessed during barefoot treadmill walking at 3 km/h using the DIERS Pedogait system. Right and left values represented the same outcome variable and were expressed using the same unit of measure. The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each side.	Time Frame: Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Track Width	Track width was assessed during barefoot treadmill walking at 3 km/h using the DIERS Pedogait system. Track width represents the mediolateral distance between consecutive foot placements. The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Stride Length	Right and left stride length values were assessed during barefoot treadmill walking at 3 km/h using the DIERS Pedogait system. Right and left values represented the same outcome variable and were expressed using the same unit of measure. The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each side.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Step Time	Right and left step time values were assessed during barefoot treadmill walking at 3 km/h using the DIERS Pedogait system. Right and left values represented the same outcome variable and were expressed using the same unit of measure. The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each side.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Stride Time	Right and left stride time values were assessed during barefoot treadmill walking at 3 km/h using the DIERS Pedogait system. Right and left values represented the same outcome variable and were expressed using the same unit of measure. The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each side.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Stance Phase Percentage	Right and left stance phase values were assessed during barefoot treadmill walking at 3 km/h using the DIERS Pedogait system. Stance phase was expressed as a percentage of the gait cycle. The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each side.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Pre-Swing Phase Percentage	Right and left pre-swing phase percentages were assessed during barefoot treadmill walking at 3 km/h using the DIERS Pedogait system. Pre-swing was expressed as a percentage of the gait cycle. The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each side.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Double-Support Phase Percentage	Right and left double-support phase percentages were assessed during barefoot treadmill walking at 3 km/h using the DIERS Pedogait system. Double support was expressed as a percentage of the gait cycle. The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each side.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Swing Phase Percentage	Right and left swing phase values were assessed during barefoot treadmill walking at 3 km/h using the DIERS Pedogait system. Swing phase was expressed as a percentage of the gait cycle. The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each side.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Load Response Phase Percentage	Right and left load response phase values were assessed during barefoot treadmill walking at 3 km/h using the DIERS Pedogait system. Load response was expressed as a percentage of the gait cycle. The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each side.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
Change From Baseline in Single-Support Phase Percentage	Right and left single-support phase percentages were assessed during barefoot treadmill walking at 3 km/h using the DIERS Pedogait system. Single support was expressed as a percentage of the gait cycle. The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention was evaluated separately for each side.	Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ege University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 2, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 5, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 11, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 12, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 16, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 21, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 21, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 16, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Oculomotor exercise Static posturography Gait analysis Postural stability Regular exercisers Sway area
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavior; Motor Activity
• Other Study ID Numbers: EUTF-OKULO-33058

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared due to institutional and ethical restrictions and because the informed consent process did not include permission for public sharing of individual-level data.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No