The Effect of Core Stability Training on Dynamic Balance and Lower Extremity Performance in Young, Asymptomatic Individuals

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Lower extremity performance and dynamic balance are an essential component of normal daily activities such as walking, running and climbing stairs. Thus, they are a key component of injury prevention and rehabilitation in sports. Training the core muscles has been hypothesized as an intervention for improving balance and lower extremity performance. However, there is a lack of current scientific evidence to support this claim. Hence, it is essential to verify the effects of the core stability training on dynamic balance and performance of lower extremity in young, asymptomatic individuals.Materials and Methods: 40 young, asymptomatic individuals ( n=20 control, n=20 experimental) were selected and pre training sessions were held for both the groups in which limb length, core stability, dynamic balance using Star Excursion Balance Test and lower extremity performance using T Test of agility were assessed. The subjects in the experimental group had to undergo progressive core stability training programme for 6 weeks and control group had to refrain from any form of structured core stability training for 6 weeks. After six weeks, both groups had to undergo post training session where all the parameters were assessed again.Result: Data analysis revealed a significant increase (p<0.0001) in the core stability and dynamic balance in the experimental group as compared to control group. There was a significant increase (p<0.0001) in the lower extremity performance in both the groups individually. Whereas, there was no significant improvement (p=0.05) in the lower extremity performance on comparing the control and experimental groups. Conclusion:The study suggested that core stability training improves dynamic balance but failed to find a significant effect of core stability training on lower extremity performance.Clinical Implications: Core stability training can be used in patients with balance deficits so as to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls and injuries.

Efficacy of Exercise Protocols on Balance in Badminton Players -A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis.

“…Core stability training causes muscle hypertrophy by increasing the number and size of myofibrils, the density of capillaries, the density of tendon nerves and ligaments, and the total contractile proteins, particularly myosin contractile proteins. Because of the alterations in muscle fibers, the pace of muscular contraction did not increase (Modi, Bhatt, 2017).…”