The Effects of Balance Training on Stability and Proprioception Scores of the Ankle in College Students

[摘要] Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if stability and proprioception scores improved on college-aged students using a slack line device. Methods: One group of 20 participants aged 18-23 from a Midwestern university performed a pre-test/post-test on a computerized posturography plate to determine Center of Pressure (CoP) and Limit of Stability (LoS) scores.  Participants performed three 20-30 minute sessions per week of balance and proprioceptive training using a Balance Bow for a period of four weeks. Data were analyzed (SPSS 21.0) using a dependent t-test to determine if any changes occurred between pre- and post-test scores after four weeks.  Results: The analyses found no significance difference in Center of Pressure (CoP), normal stability eyes open (NSEO), normal stability eyes closed (NSEC), perturbed stability eyes open (PSEO), perturbed stability eyes closed (PSEC), or LoS forward (F), backward (B), or right (R) scores in college-aged participants. A significant difference was found in LoS left (L) and a notable trend towards significance was found in LoS R results. Conclusion: With the exception of LoS L stability scores, it was concluded that 12 sessions of 20-30 minutes, utilizing a slack line device, over a four week training period did not significantly improve stability and proprioceptive scores of the ankle in college-aged participants.

[关键词] Proprioception;Limit of Stability (LoS);Center of Pressure (CoP);slack line device