IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENCE WORKERS THROUGH PROPRIOCEPTIVE EXERCISES

Abstract

Proprioceptive re-education improves stability and balance control and reduces the risk of injury. Through this research, we intend to emphasise that simple exercises such as simple assessment tests are equally useful in preventing knee sprain, in terms of primary prophylaxis and recurrence prevention. The study involved 15 active military workers (11 male and 4 female) from the Ministry of National Defence, who were included in the category of people practising the sports activities required by their profession. These sports activities are varied and consist of: athletics, martial arts, football, volleyball and military application routes specific to the training of this professional category. We aim to verify the effectiveness of proprioceptive exercises included in an original programme. We applied the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), which is used by clinicians and researchers to assess static and dynamic balance, track performance changes after implementing a prevention or rehabilitation programme and identify people at risk of injury. For the assessment of knee function-related quality of life following the programme applied to participants, we used the Lysholm Scale and 2000 IKDC questionnaires. The statistical results obtained using the dependent t test indicate significant increases in dynamic balance and postural control for both the affected and healthy lower limbs, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the exercise programme used as well as its therapeutic and prophylactic effects. Consequently, the implementation of such a programme can be a measure aimed at improving the health-related quality of life of active military personnel in the Ministry of National Defence.