Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2011 , Vol 57 , Num 2

A Basketball Player With Marfan Syndrome and High Risk of Fall Detected by Posturography

Nuray Akkaya 1 ,Gülin Fındıkoğlu 2 ,Semih Akkaya 3 ,Bilal Utku Alemdaroğlu 4
1 Pamukkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Denizli, Türkiye
2 Pamukkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Denizli,Türkiye
3 Pamukkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Anabilim Dalı, Denizli, Türkiye
4 Pamukkale Üniversitesi, Spor Bilimleri ve Teknolojisi Yüksekokulu, Denizli, Türkiye
DOI : 10.4274/tftr.44365

Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder of connective tissue involving various organs. There is no data in the literature regarding balance disturbance or fall risk for sportsmen with Marfan syndrome. In this case report, we present a 24-year-old male professional athlete with Marfan syndrome who has been playing basketball for a period of 10 years, of which, the last three years being in the premier league. A high risk of falls and poor postural performance was detected in the patient during followup performed annually in athletes, including locomotor system examination, isokinetic evaluation of muscular performance using isokinetic machine and fall index, and postural performance assessment using static posturography. Due to the strong correlation between balance and muscle strength, imbalance is not an expected situation in athletes. Sports medicine physicians and trainers must pay attention to take necessary precautions in athletes with Marfan syndrome. Data for fall index can help to re-arrange exercise program and to prevent traumas that can occur following a fall. 

Keywords : Basketball player, muscle strength, Marfan syndrome, staticbalance