Effects of 8-Week Complex Balance Training in Young Alpine Skiers: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an 8-week complex balance training program on dynamic balance in skiers according to the new balance training protocol. DesignIntervention study, comprising 8 weeks of core stability, plyometric, balance, and stretching exercises. ParticipantsTen young skiers volunteered to take part in this study (average age, height, and body mass were 16,44 +/- 1,07 years, 172,76+/-8,84 cm, and 67,4 11,44 kg, respectively (mean +/- SD)). Main Outcome MeasuresSubjects' dynamic balance performance was assessed and retested after training completion with the use of dynamic balance measurement within the Optojump Next System. ResultsThe results of 8-week complex balance training showed significant improvements for jump height (H) and flight time (FT) for the left leg and jumping area in both legs. ConclusionThe complex balance training program improved parameters of dynamic stability in young skiers and led to decreased asymmetry between lower extremities.

Does monopedal postural balance differ between the dominant leg and the non-dominant leg? A review

“…Most studies which have compared the monopedal postural balance of the dominant and the non-dominant leg were cross-sectional (see tables 1 and 2) and only very few experimental protocols were based on intervention studies (e.g., Slomka et al, 2018;Karakaya et al, 2015).…”

“…An initial postural asymmetry between the dominant and non-dominant leg could even be reduced after training programs (e.g., jumps, balance exercises) in young soccer players and skiers (Pardos-Mainer et al, 2019;Slomka et al, 2018). Learning in the trained limb would engender cortical adaptations which would improve the pattern of muscle activation in the untrained limb (e.g., coordination of agonists and antagonists, synergist muscle activity related to postural balance) (Frazer et al, 2018).…”

Dual-Task Balance Training for Motor Skill Development among Children with Intelligence Quotient Discrepancy

“…The first 10 min part of the exercises was designed to include the tasks of transferring weight to the front, back, right, and left, touching targets in different directions, catching a moving object, and balancing while a force is applied by the physiotherapist to disturb balance while the participant was in a sitting position on the balance ball. In the second 10-minute part, the same exercises were performed with the participant standing in an upright position on the Bosu balance ball [19][20][21].…”

Contributions to the Evaluation of Physical Training for Students Specialised in Alpine Skiing

“…The importance of developing coordinative skills in the sports training of alpine skiers with a focus on technical tests is also mentioned as the main objective [9]. Sports' training has been shown to have a positive influence on body balance regardless the type of practiced sport [11]. In the opinion of a significant number of authors, a high level of balancing ability allows to obtain many benefits related to the improvement of sports performance [11], faster rehabilitation [12] and injury prevention [3], [6], [7].…”

“…Sports' training has been shown to have a positive influence on body balance regardless the type of practiced sport [11]. In the opinion of a significant number of authors, a high level of balancing ability allows to obtain many benefits related to the improvement of sports performance [11], faster rehabilitation [12] and injury prevention [3], [6], [7]. All these considerations lead to the idea that specific balance training plays an essential role as it is stated in literature [10], [5].…”