Neuromuscular Training Improves Postural Stability in Young Female Athletes

Abstract

1337 Balance training has become a common component of programs designed to prevent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Rehabilitation programs can improve postural stability following ACL injury and reconstruction, however, limited information is available that quantifies improvement in postural stability following neuromuscular training designed to prevent ACL injuries in a healthy population. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if a 6-week neuromuscular training program, designed to decrease the incidence of ACL injuries would improve postural stability. We hypothesized neuromuscular training would improve postural stability and that these improvements could be objectively quantified. METHODS: Forty-one healthy female high school athletes participated in this study. Postural stability was assessed with a Biodex Stability System followed by implementation of a neuromuscular training program. The program consisted of three 90-minute training sessions per week for six weeks. Following the completion of the training program, each subject was re-evaluated to determine change in total stability, anterior/posterior stability and medial/lateral stability. RESULTS: Overall stability was significantly improved from pre-training to post-training testing in the right leg (p = 0.007) and the left leg (p = 0.011). Anterior/posterior stability was significantly improved from pre to post-training in the right leg (p = 0.002) and the left leg (p = 0.007). No significant difference in medial/lateral postural stability was demonstrated in the right leg (p = 0.648) or the left leg (p = 0.754). There was a strong correlation between overall stability index and anterior/posterior stability index for the right leg (r = .954, p<0.001) and the left leg (r = .923, p<0.001). There was a moderate correlation between overall stability index and medial lateral stability index for the right leg (r = .601, p<0.001) and the left leg (r = .733, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a six week neuromuscular training program designed to help decrease the incidence of ACL injuries improves objective measure of postural stability in female athletes. Increased medial/lateral stability training may be necessary.