Effects of Balance Training Combined with Plyometric Exercise in Postural Control: Application in Individuals with Functional Ankle Instability

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Ankle sprains are the most prevalent musculoskeletal injuries that occur in athletes, and the chronic ankle instability is a rather common consequence. The purpose of this study was to exam the effect of a balance training combined plyometric program in postural control. Twelve athletes were randomly assigned to a plyometric group that participated in a plyometric training program (P group), or to a balance combined with plyometric group (BP group) that participated in a combined program. The outcome measure included the kinematic and kinetic parameter, time to stabilize (TTS) during drop landing, and postural sway during one-leg balance. Significant reduced peak medial-lateral ground reaction force and loading rate during lateral drop landing were noted in BP group after training. Significant test-time main effect were noted at the contact angles of knee flexion (F=7.14,p=0.02) and hip rotation (F=10.41, p=0.01) during lateral drop landing. The TTS of knee rotation in BP group significantly less than that of P group in lateral drop landing at post-test. There was improvement in ML postural sway during one-leg standing without vision for 6-week BP training, but not for isolated plyometric training. The preliminary result may indicate that balance training combined plyometric program will reduce postural sway in static condition, and improve stability and patterns of energy dissipation in dynamic postural control.