Kung-fu versus swimming training and the effects on balance abilities in young adolescents

•Kung-fu practitioners swayed less when they relied more on visual inputs.•Kung-fu training developed unipedal stability in the eyes open condition.•Kung-fu training could be recommended for children with unilateral instability.•Swimming practitioners developed a lower reliance on vision in the bipedal posture.•Swimming training may be suitable for children with visual and balance deficiencies.