Further study of physical exercise and locomotor balance compensation after unilateral labyrinthectomy in squirrel monkeys.

The effect of physical exercise on compensation for locomotor asymmetry after unilateral labyrinthectomy was studied in squirrel monkeys. Five monkeys were assigned to the motor-driven rotating cage exercise, and another five, non-exercise control. Daily exercise (cumulative time of 2 1/2 hours) was given for three weeks preoperatively and continuously (daily) post-operatively. The average number of calendar days to attain the locomotor balance compensation was 20 days in the exercise group, and 35 days in the non-exercise control group. Statistical analysis showed the former compensated (according to the previously established criterion) significantly faster than the latter ( less than 0.05). Furthermore, faster reduction of gait deviation was found in the exercise group. Therefore, when physical exercise was given extensively and continuously, and locomotor balance function was measured by the squirrel monkey platform runway test (Igarashi, 1974), physical exercise application enhanced the locomotor equilibrium compensation.