Effect Of Level Of Coordination Abilities On Motor Learning Progress In Slacklining

Abstract

Slacklining (walking on slackline) as a sport activity is a specialized motor skill with great demands on variability, anticipation and responding to external conditions. The research study works on an assumption that motor learning progress in slacklining is influenced by the level of coordination skills.The purpose of the study was to investigate how the level of coordination abilities affects progress in slacklining. The research question relates to coordination abilities being a performance precondition for motor tasks with similar coordination demands. 40 university students (19-24) participated in the study.Indicators of the level of coordination abilities were standardised 1-leg standing balance test and IowaBrace battery. The participants trained slacklining within 8 sessions (10 attempts once a week). Motor learning progress was recorded. Statistical significance of difference across the sample was evaluated by Mann-Whitney test (p < 0.05). The progress in acquiring slacklining was recorded in terms of the best performance and the total number of attempts on slackline. A significant difference (p < 0.05) was found out across the sample in both selected indicators of coordination abilities, which suggests that the progress in slacklining of the participants with higher level of coordination abilities was faster. In conclusion, the level of coordination abilities, especially balance, can help the progress of motor learning in slacklining. However, slacklining is a complex and concentration-demanding skill and the progress can also be influenced by other factors, such as external conditions, personality and motivation.

Slackline Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…No changes were, however, observed in the SEMG activity of the three major postural leg muscles during the posturography test. This finding is in agreement with other studies that have analyzed the effects of slackline training effects on the SEMG of several trunk and lower limb muscles in different populations [ 5 , 8 , 22 , 31 , 32 ]. Thus, the existing evidence overall suggests that slackline tasks might not provide a sufficiently high stimulus to elicit changes in SEMG.…”

“…The overall improvement in the Speed CoP parameters (with moderate effect sizes) supports the benefits of the slackline intervention on patients’ enhanced postural control, since their reduction represents increases in the ability to maintain an upright stance [ 21 ]. Thus, the present findings suggest that the slackline therapy might be effective for enhancing static postural control, which is in line with previous studies performed in non-clinical populations [ 5 , 8 , 22 ]. To the best of the authors knowledge, the present study is the first to use this type of intervention in patients with CP, but other training/rehabilitation methods have previously proven effective for the improvement of postural control in patients with CP [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”

“…Slacklining consists of walking or maintaining balance on a polyester band placed between two anchor points. The activity itself is a specialized open motor skill, with demands on muscle coordination and postural stabilization with respect to variable external conditions and their anticipation [ 5 ]. It allows high movement variability, provides a small, non-fixed base of support, elicits fast medio-lateral perturbations to the body and induces high challenges for the postural control [ 6 ].…”