The Effect of a 6-week Balance Training Program on Postural Stability

<p>PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study was to: determine if the use of a 6 week balance training program will improve postural stability; Determine gender differences in postural stability following a 6 week balance training program; Determine latency effects in postural stability following a 6-week balance training program.<br />METHODS: A convenience sample of forty-nine participants (27 females and 22 males) from a NCAA Division I affiliated school participated in the study (age = 19.98 ± 1.39 years, height =181.48 ± 12.79 cm, mass = 384.96 ± 84.11 kg). Participants were selected from the men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s soccer, and men’s track teams respectively. Participants were separated into a control and intervention group based on convenience. The men and women’s basketball teams were placed into the intervention group. Both the intervention and control group were baseline tested on the NeurcoCom®VSR™-Sport (NeuroCom, Clackamas, OR) using the Stability Evaluation Test (SET) testing procedures. Following the baseline testing participants in the intervention group completed a 6- week balance-training program consisting of several elements.<br />RESULTS: In the female and male control group, there was no significant change in postural stability composite score from baseline testing to post test. The postural stability composite score was reduced in both the male and female intervention groups (-0.19 ± 0.24 and -0.39 ± 0.42 respectively; p<0.05). Post-intervention no differences in postural stability composite scores existed between genders. There was a significant change in postural stability composite scores from post-intervention to 2 weeks post-intervention. The change in postural stability composite scores from postintervention to 4 weeks post-intervention was significant. However the change in postural stability composite score from 2 week to 4 week post intervention was not significant.<br />CONCLUSION: Significant decrease in postural stability composite scores was associated with 6-weeks of balance training, indicating improved postural stability. Significant decrease in composite scores were seen pre- to post intervention and in both male and female basketball players.<br /><br /></p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - University Access Only

Year dc:date.available

2013

Author dc:creator

• Blenkinsop, Oliver

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mary Beth Zwart

• Exercise Science
• Sports Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• <p>In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted<br /><a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/</a></p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/1382

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-2381