Effects of balance training on balance performance in youth: role of training difficulty
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(2020) 12:71
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Open Access
Effects of balance training on balance performance in youth: role of training difficulty Simon Schedler* , Florian Tenelsen, Laura Wich and Thomas Muehlbauer
Abstract Background: Cross-sectional studies have shown that balance performance can be challenged by the level of task difficulty (e.g., varying stance conditions, sensory manipulations). However, it remains unclear whether the application of different levels of task difficulty during balance training (BT) leads to altered adaptations in balance performance. Thus, we examined the effects of BT conducted under a high versus a low level of task difficulty on balance performance. Methods: Forty male adolescents were randomly assigned to a BT program using a low (BT-low: n = 20; age: 12.4 ± 2.0 yrs) or a high (BT-high: n = 20; age: 12.5 ± 2.5 yrs) level of balance task difficulty. Both groups trained for 7 weeks (2 sessions/week, 30–35 min each). Pre- and post-training assessments included measures of static (one-legged stance [OLS] time), dynamic (10-m gait velocity), and proactive (Y-Balance Test [YBT] reach distance, Functional Reach Test [FRT]; Timed-Up-and-Go Test [TUG]) balance. Results: Significant main effects of Test (i.e., pre- to post-test improvements) were observed for all but one balance measure (i.e., 10-m gait velocity). Additionally, a Test x Group interaction was detected for the FRT in favor of the BT-high group (Δ + 8%, p < 0.001, d = 0.35). Further, tendencies toward significant Test x Group interactions were found for the YBT anterior reach (in favor of BT-high: Δ + 9%, p < 0.001, d = 0.60) and for the OLS with eyes opened and on firm surface (in favor of BT-low: Δ + 31%, p = 0.003, d = 0.67). Conclusions: Following 7 weeks of BT, enhancements in measures of static, dynamic, and proactive balance were observed in the BT-high and BT-low groups. However, BT-high appears to be more effective for increasing measures of proactive balance, whereas BT-low seems to be more effective for improving proxies of static balance. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN83638708 (Retrospectively registered 19th June, 2020). Keywords: Postural control, Adolescence, Intervention, Dose-response relationship
Background The effectiveness of balance training (BT) for improving different components of balance performance in children and adolescents has been shown by several original studies [1–4] and these findings have been summarized in systematic reviews [5, 6]. Contrary, recommendations on * Correspondence: [email protected] Division of Movement and Training Sciences/Biomechanics of Sport, University of Duisburg-Essen, Gladbecker Str. 182, 45141 Essen, Germany
how to design BT with respect to different load dimensions (e.g., training volume, training intensity) in order to be most effective in children and adolescents are rather unspecific and have only been derived from review articles [5, 7]. For example, a reduction in the base of support / sensory input and the inclusion of unstable surfac
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