Effects of bodyweight neuromuscular training with and without instability on balance control in active universitarians

Exploratory Analysis of Unstable Surface Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Chronic Ankle Instability

Objective

To conduct an exploratory systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of unstable surface training on balance and hop function in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Data Sources

Four major electronic databases were searched, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, from January 1, 2000 to June 20, 2024.

Study Selection

Randomized controlled trials that compare unstable surface training with either general intervention or no intervention in individuals with CAI were included.

Data Extraction

The physical therapy evidence database scale was used to assess the risk of bias and methodological quality of included studies. The mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Review Manager 5.4 software.

Data Synthesis

The review ultimately included 9 studies involving 308 participants. Compared with the other exercises or no exercise, unstable surface training could improve the significant effects of the star excursion balance test (SEBT) in the direction of posterolateral (MD=5.80; 95% CI, 1.60-9.99; P=.007), posteromedial (MD=6.24; 95% CI, 2.32-10.16; P=.002), medial (MD=9.11; 95% CI, 6.42-11.80; P<.00001), anteromedial (MD=7.25; 95% CI, 2.33-12.17; P=.004), the time-in-balance test (MD=8.45; 95% CI, 1.50-15.40; P=.02), the foot-lift test (MD=-1.39; 95% CI, -2.49 to -0.28; P=.01). However, there was no significant difference in the anterior direction of the SEBT (MD=3.22; 95% CI, -0.66 to 7.10; P=.10), the side-hop test (MD=-1.94; 95% CI, -4.82 to 0.95; P=.19), and the figure-of-8 hop test (MD=-0.97; 95% CI, -2.39 to 0.46; P=.18) between groups.

Conclusions

Compared with the other exercises or no exercise, unstable surface training has potential benefits in improving balance in people with CAI but has no significant effect on hop function. However, the exploratory nature of this study highlights the need for further research to confirm these findings.

Impact of neuromuscular training including balance, strength and plyometric exercises on static and dynamic balance in high-level male runners with mild intellectual disability

BACKGROUND

This study aims to investigate the impact of neuromuscular training (NMT) on static and dynamic postural balance (PB) among high-level male runners with intellectual disability.

METHOD

Twenty-seven runners were randomly assigned to a NMT group and a control group who maintained their conventional training. Static and dynamic PB were assessed using the centre of pressure (CoP) excursions (in bipedal and unipedal stances under open eyes (OE) and closed eyes (CE) conditions) and the star excursion balance test (SEBT), respectively, at pre-training and post-training.

RESULTS

The NMT group showed significantly (p < 0.05) decreased CoP values and increased SEBT scores at post-training compared to pre-training. The switch from OE to CE did not affect static PB in the bipedal stance, only in the NMT group.

CONCLUSIONS

The NMT was effective in improving static and dynamic PB in runners with intellectual disability. The NMT could reduce visual dependency.