Effect of Instability and Bodyweight Neuromuscular Training on Dynamic Balance Control in Active Young Adults.

Carla Gonçalves,Carolina Vila-Chã,Filipe Manuel Clemente,Cesar Leão,António Brandão,Pedro Bezerra,Jose M Cancela

doi:10.3390/ijerph17238879

Abstract

The aims of this study were to analyse the effects of unstable and stable bodyweight neuromuscular training on dynamic balance control and to analyse the between-group differences after the training period. Seventy-seven physically active young adults (48 males, 29 females, 19.1 ± 1.1 years, 170.2 ± 9.2 cm, 64.1 ± 10.7 kg) were distributed into an unstable training group (UTG), a stable training group (STG), and a control group (CG). Training was conducted three times a week for nine weeks. Pre-intervention and post-intervention measures included dynamic balance control using a Y Balance Test (YBT), anterior (A), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL) reach direction. A mixed ANOVA was executed to test the within-subjects factor and the between-subjects factor. Statistically significant differences were found for all YBT measures within groups (p = 0.01) and between groups (p = 0.01). After the intervention, UTG and STG presented meaningfully improved results in all YBT measures (A: 7%, p = 0.01; 4%, p = 0.02, PM: 8%, p = 0.01; 5%, p = 0.01, PL: 8%, p = 0.01; 4%, p = 0.04, respectively). No statistical changes were found for any of the measures in the CG. After the intervention, significant differences were observed between the UTG and CG for the YBTA and PM (p = 0.03; p = 0.01). The results suggest that neuromuscular training using an unstable surface had similar effects on dynamic balance control as training using a stable surface. When compared to CG, UTG showed better performance in YBTA and PM.

Highlights

Postural and balance control comprise a complex motor function that requires interactions between multiple dynamic sensorimotor processes that are fundamental to safely accomplishing any type of movement performed during daily living [1,2]
Improving the strength of the muscles of the lower extremities [18]. It seems that a by improving the strength of the muscles of the lower extremities [18]. It seems that a neuromuscular training program improved neuromuscular training program improved participants’ performance on Y Balance Test (YBT) and Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) reach directions, postural control, and lower limb stability tests [15,22,24,35]
Our findings show no significant differences in the YBT measures between groups after nine weeks of bodyweight neuromuscular training

Summary

Introduction

Postural and balance control comprise a complex motor function that requires interactions between multiple dynamic sensorimotor processes that are fundamental to safely accomplishing any type of movement performed during daily living [1,2]. Public Health 2020, 17, 8879; doi:10.3390/ijerph17238879 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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