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This study aimed to analyze the effects of an 8-week training with the elastic resistance bands on body composition and postural control in sedentary women. Thirty-four female sedentary university students participated in the study based on voluntariness. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: The experimental group and the control group. The experimental group performed an 8-week elastic resistance band training. Body composition measurements included the body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, skinfold thicknesses, and circumferences. The Overall Stability Index and limit of stability were measured to evaluate postural performance using the Biodex Balance System. The overall stability index scores were evaluated for two conditions: Eye-open and eye-closed. After the training, body weight, the circumferences of waist, upper arm, and calf significantly increased (p<0.05) although there was no change in the circumferences of the hip, thigh, shoulder, and chest (p>0.05). The skinfold thicknesses and body fat percentage decreased in the experimental group (p<0.05). The training caused the overall stability index scores to reduce in eye-open and eye-closed conditions. There was no significant difference in the limit of stability scores (p>0.05). In conclusion, these results show that elastic resistance band exercise could increase postural control and body composition in sedentary women. Also, the results suggest that the training might lower sedentary women's body fat by increasing muscle mass.

Background and Study Aim. Although Kinesiotape is widely used by athletes, information about its effect is unclear. Its effect on postural control might directly affect an athlete's performance. In this study, it is aimed to find out whether ankle Kinesiotaping in taekwondo athletes affects postural control. Material and Methods. Twenty-four healthy university students – taekwondo athletes (12 females, 12 males) were included in the study voluntarily (Age 21.00 ± 1.53 years; height 173.33 ± 7.29 cm; body weight 63.41 ± 9.41 kg). Kinesiotape was carried out to the dominant ankle of the participants. Kinesiotape was applied supportively to peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, and tibiofibular ligament. All participants were taken to postural control measurements twice with Kinesiotape (KT) and without KT. Postural control was measured using the Biodex Balance System with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). Overall Stability Index (OSI), anterior-posterior sway (AP) and medio-lateral sway (ML) scores were used in the evaluation of postural control. Wilcoxon test was used to compare balance scores under EO condition, and the t-test was used for dependent groups to compare balance scores under EC condition. Results. In EO condition, no significant difference was found between OSI, AP, and ML scores of the taekwondo athletes with KT and without KT (p > 0.05). In EC condition, no significant difference was found between OSI, AP, and ML scores of male taekwondo athletes with KT and without KT (p > 0.05). It was found that Kinesiotape in EC condition decreased OSI and AP sway scores in female taekwondo athletes (p < 0.05). Conclusions. It was determined that ankle Kinesiotaping of taekwondo athletes did not change the postural balance in EO condition. In EC condition it did not change the postural sway of male taekwondo athletes, but it improved the postural control performances of female taekwondo athletes.

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