Fig 1.
Conceptual model of the influential factors on the benefit of IPT.
Sex, age-related motor developmental potential (mean-centred age inverse), extreme BMI (mean-centred BMI squared) and performance cluster assignment moderate the effects of an individual balancing skill, proportional interindividual differences in balancing skills, and interindividual differences in sex, motor developmental potential, and BMI. IPT: interpersonal touch; BMI: Body mass index.
Fig 2.
Bar graphs of the effect of vision and interpersonal tactile interaction on variability of body sway velocity (marginal means).
Entire participants sample (A) and individually by performance cluster assignments based on behaviour during Eyes open condition (B, C) and Eyes closed condition (D, E). In general, a greater benefit of IPT is observable in the Eyes closed condition and for the participants assigned to Cluster 2 (‘vulnerable’ participants). Cluster 1: more skilled, older, taller and heavier participants; Cluster 2: more vulnerable participants. EO: Eyes open, EC: Eyes closed; IPT: interpersonal touch.
Fig 3.
Scatter plot of the benefit of IPT.
Eyes open condition (A, B) and Eyes closed condition (Fi. 3. C, D) by performance cluster assignment of an individual and performance cluster assignment of their interaction partner. Cluster 1: more skilled, older, taller and heavier participants; Cluster 2: more vulnerable participants. EO: Eyes open, EC: Eyes closed; IPT: interpersonal touch.
Fig 4.
Statistical model of significant influential factors on the benefit of IPT.
(A) In the Eyes open condition, the benefit of IPT depends on 1) an individual’s balancing skill, 2) an interaction between the balancing skill by motor developmental potential, 3) an interaction between the interindividual differences in balancing skills and motor developmental potential, and 4) the age differences for individuals in Cluster 2. (B) In the Eyes closed condition, the benefit of IPT depends on 1) an individual’s balancing skill and the 2) interindividual difference in balancing skills and 3) the age differences for individuals in Cluster 2. IPT: interpersonal touch, β: standardized coefficient.