Can A Six-week Training Program Improve Dynamic Balance And Functional Movement In Middle School-aged Children?

Abstract

Tests of dynamic balance, such as the Y Balance Test (YBT), and movement quality, such as the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), have been able to identify individuals at risk for lower extremity injury. Performance on these tests has been suggested to improve with training but there are no reports that have examined whether these changes are apparent in a youth and whether changes can occur with a standardized intervention. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of a six-week training program on YBT and FMS scores in middle school aged youth. METHODS: Two classes of 8th grade middle school students (31 boys, 41 girls) were recruited for the study. Students participated in a six-week training program aimed at improving dynamic balance and functional movement twice weekly. Students' dynamic balance was assessed using the YBT protocol and quality of movement was assessed using the FMS. Variables of interest for the YBT included maximal reach distance in all three reach directions, the composite score, and bilateral symmetry. Variables of interest for the FMS included scores for each of the seven movement tests along with an assessment of the composite score. Statistical analysis was conducted using a two-way ANOVA controlling for gender differences between the pre and post measurements (p<0.05). RESULTS: A significant interaction was observed for the composite FMS score that displayed a 17% increase in the boys compared to no change in the girls over the course of the program (B: 46.8 to 54.8, G: 56.9 to 57.7, p=0.01). Main effects for time, all of which improved over the course of the training program, were observed for all variables assessed on the YBT and for the FMS variables of deep squat, lunge, push up, and rotary stability. Main effects for gender were observed for the active straight leg raise and deep squat with girls exhibiting improved scores. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study suggest that a standardized six-week training program can improve functional movement and dynamic balance scores as measured by the FMS and YBT. The improvements in functional movement were more pronounced in boys compared to girls while the changes in dynamic balance were consistent across gender. The different improvement in functional movement quality may potentially be due to the relative increased maturation that would be expected in girls of this age.