Effect of Six Weeks of Dura Disc and Mini-Trampoline Balance Training on Postural Sway in Athletes With Functional Ankle Instability

Abstract

Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is one of the most common injuries incurred during sporting activities, and effective rehabilitation programs for this condition are challenging to develop. The purpose of this research was to compare the effect of 6 weeks of balance training on either a mini-trampoline or a dura disc on postural sway and to determine if the mini-trampoline or the dura disc is more effective in improving postural sway. Twenty subjects (11 men, 9 women) with a mean age of 25.4 +/- 4.2 years were randomly allocated into a control group, a dura disc training (DT) group, or a mini-trampoline (MT) group. Subjects completed 6 weeks of balance training. Postural sway was measured by subjects performing a single limb stance on a force plate. The disbursement of the center of pressure was obtained from the force plate in the medial-lateral and the anterior-posterior sway path and was subsequently used for pretest and posttest analysis. After the 6-week training intervention, there was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in postural sway between pre- and posttesting for both the MT (pretest = 56.8 +/- 20.5 mm, posttest = 33.3 +/- 8.5 mm) and DT (pretest = 41.3 +/- 2.6 mm, posttest = 27.2 +/- 4.8 mm) groups. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference detected for improvements between the MT and DT groups. These results indicate that not only is the mini-trampoline an effective tool for improving balance after LAS, but it is equally as effective as the dura disc.

Changes in Postural Control After a Ball-Kicking Balance Exercise in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability

“…For instance, individuals with CAI exhibit smaller COP displacements while standing motionless on 1 limb during BPT involving ball-catching tasks, 32 elastictubing exercises, 31 and balance exercises on unstable surfaces (eg, dura disc and mini-trampoline). 12 These results are consistent with our findings in which COP displacement (area of sway) during the static task decreased after training in the TG. Other authors 12,17 have interpreted this as improved postural stability.…”

“…12 These results are consistent with our findings in which COP displacement (area of sway) during the static task decreased after training in the TG. Other authors 12,17 have interpreted this as improved postural stability. Our results, however, suggested that only 1 session of BPT that entails kicking a ball might modify postural sway when balance is evaluated in a single-legged static stance.…”

“…5 This includes maneuvers such as balancing on 1 limb while postural disturbances are delivered in various ways (eg, standing on different unstable surfaces); physical perturbation via a push or pull; or throwing, catching, or kicking a ball. 6À10 Whereas some of these therapeutic techniques yielded positive outcomes for balance control and anklejoint stability, 11,12 others have been less successful. 13,14 One potential explanation for these conflicting findings is limited understanding about how individuals with CAI react to these disturbances.…”

“…Typically, individuals with CAI exhibit greater postural sway when standing motionless on 1 limb than do healthy control participants, but this disparity decreases with balance training. 12,17 The opposite effect may occur in dynamic conditions, such as performing functional tasks; that is, with balance training, balance sway may increase. For instance, individuals with CAI improved their dynamic postural control (ie, increased excursion during a Star Excursion Balance Test) after training involving various balance activities in a single-legged stance 11 or balancing on an unstable surface.…”

Exergaming and Static Postural Control in Individuals With a History of Lower Limb Injury

“…4,6 The recent literature discusses improving neuromuscular control and activation and strengthening of the musculature in the entire lower extremity in order to improve postural stability through balance rehabilitation. 5,7 It has been well established that rehabilitation programs focused on improving neuromuscular control, strength, and range of motion improve postural control and self-reported function in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI), [8][9][10] acute ankle sprains, 11 and patellofemoral pain. 12,13 Although traditional therapeutic exercises have been effective in improving postural control after injury, a variety of treatment approaches can be used to improve balance after joint injury.…”