Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effects of a 6-week integrated training program on the ankle joint reposition sense and postural stability in ballet dancers. Methods: Sixteen female ballet dancers participated in the study and underwent a 6-week integrated training program consisting of plyometric, proprioception and core stability exercises along with a home program involving additional ankle muscle strengthening and stretching. The ankle joint reposition tests and the parameters of the center of pressure (COP) while performing grand-plie (deep squatting) and releve en demi-pointe (standing on balls of foot) movements were measured before and after training. Results: After 6 weeks, participants showed significantly smaller absolute ankle joint reposition errors in dorsiflexion (p = 0.031), plantarflexion (p = 0.003) and eversion (p = 0.019) compared to the pre-training measurement. Furthermore, after training, a significantly slower average COP speed at pre-equilibrium during grand-plie movement (p = 0.003) and pre-equilibrium phase of releve en demi-pointe (p = 0.023) were observed. In addition, the maximum COP displacement in the medial-lateral direction was significantly smaller at pre-equilibrium phase during grand-plie (p = 0.044) and releve en demi-pointe movements (p = 0.004) after training. Conclusions: The 6-week integrated training program improved the ankle joint reposition sense and postural control in the medial-lateral direction during grand-plie and releve en demi-pointe movements.
Highlights
Ballet requires intensive training to reach the demanded aesthetic standards
Proper training programs aimed at minimizing ankle injuries and improving the balance ability are essential in maintaining the health and performance of ballet dancers
No significant difference was observed between the pre- and post-training values of the 95% center of pressure (COP) ellipse area, maximum displacement of the COP, and standard deviation (SD) of the COP
Summary
Ballet requires intensive training to reach the demanded aesthetic standards. ballet dancers are under intense physical and psychological demands during training, rehearsal and performance [1]. Plyometric exercise of the lower extremities generally involves repetitive jump-landing movements and agility tasks with rapid changes of directions [10,18] Such movements involve instantaneous stretch-shortening cycles that actuate the mechanical or proprioception receptors on the ligaments of the foot or tendons around the ankle joint due to the muscle spindle is more sensitive to the instantaneous stretching [19], and are of great potential benefit in improving the reposition sense of the ankle joint and enhancing the balance ability . Previous studies have shown that plyometric exercise, proprioception training and core stability strengthening are effective techniques for minimizing the risk of injury and improving performance in many different types of sports [26,27,28]. It is hypothesized that the ballet dancers will exhibit an improved ankle joint reposition sense and improved balance ability during ballet movements after receiving the proposed training program
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