The Effects of Using a Balance Step to Improve Proprioception I n Elite Junior Netballers

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Literature Review3

Balance Step and Technical Skills of Netballers4

The Need to Improve Proprioception6

Wobble Board and Balance Board Enhancing Proprioception7

Methodology9

Research Design9

Sampling9

Data Collection Method9

Material and Methods9

Devices Used for the Implementation of the Proprioception and Balance Training10

Instrumentation and Test10

Kiesler Force Platform10

Pre and Post Assessment11

Intervention11

Validity and Ethical Concern12

Discussion13

Conclusions20

References22

The Effects of Using t Balance Step To Improve Proprioception in Elite Junior Netballers

Introduction

The research examines the effects of using a balance Step to improve proprioception in elite Junior Netballers. The selected research studies focus on the wobble board and balance discs as effective methods of the treatment and this research analyse if the method are effective as detailed out in the researches. The research addresses this topic through an experimental design through pre and post test on a Kiesler force platform with centre of pressure balance test.

Literature Review

The literature on improving proprioception and using balance is diverse and determine the effectiveness of these methods through various measurements. Physical therapy clinics use wobble board and balance discs training to decrease ankle injury rates and to improve balance. Studies have shown a decrease in the reoccurrence of ankle sprains in young athletes, but not for new ankle injuries (Hrysomallis, 2007).

Wobble board training has also demonstrated improvements in standing balance tests in older adults. These improvements may be due to improvements in strength, coordination, and/or endurance (Ashton-Miller et al., 2001; Balogun et al, 1992; Sheth et al., 1997). Further research needs to examine how much, if any, of the improvements in motor function are a result of improvements in proprioception (Ashton-Miller et al., 2001).

To the current knowledge no one has examined the effect of wobble board training on gait in older adults. Since the amount of transfer from one skill to another is dependent on the similarities between the two tasks and the context of the task (Latham, 2004), it appears unlikely that wobble board training will improve gait. However, balance control forms the foundation of voluntary motor skills (Austin, 1999), so it is reasonable to expect that improvements in balance will be observed as improvements in gait.

Balance Step and Technical Skills of Netballers

Balance is considered to be one of the most basic synarmostikes abilities in everyday life and sports (Martin et al 1991). Balance control includes a complex network of neuronal links and centres as well as central and peripheral feedback mechanisms (Gayton 1991). The sources of sensory stimuli to the posture control system originate from the optical, the vestibular and the somatosensory systems (Nashner 1982). In bibliography, the terms 'somatosensory', 'proprioception' and 'kinaesthesia' are used as synonyms. However, 'somatosensory', as a more general term, refers to the sense of the movement of the joint (kinaesthesia) as well as to the position of the joint, while 'proprioception' is described as the conscious and unconscious estimation of the joint's position.

Netball is regarded as the most ideal sport that can improve the balance in healthy and untrained individuals since ...