BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Balance training is an effective intervention to improve static postural sway and balance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus exercises for improving balance ability in healthy collegiate students in comparison with a typical balance training program.METHODS: Forty students were randomly divided into two groups, a traditional (T group) and a Nintendo Wii group (W group) performed an 8 week balance program. The "W group" used the interactive games as a training method, while the "T group" used an exercise program with mini trampoline and inflatable discs (BOSU). Pre and Post-training participants completed balance assessments.RESULTS: Two-way repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were conducted to determine the effect of training program. Analysis of the data illustrated that both training program groups demonstrated an improvement in Total, Anterior-posterior and Medial Lateral Stability Index scores for both limbs. Only at the test performed in the balance board with anterior-posterior motion, the improvement in balance ability was greater in the "T group" than the "W group", when the assessment was performed post-training (p = 0.023).CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the effectiveness of using the Nintendo Wii gaming console as a balance training intervention tool.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate balance deficits after an ankle sprain in collegiate students and to examine the effectiveness of 2 different balance rehabilitation programs on balance ability. Thirty collegiate students with functional ankle instability were randomly divided into 2 groups. Both groups followed an intervention balance program for 6 weeks, 3 times per week, 20 minutes per session, using balance boards. One of the 2 training groups performed the exercises on the ground—the “Land” group ( n = 15), and the other in a swimming pool—the “Aquatic” group ( n = 15). Balance ability was assessed before and after the 6-week intervention program. Balance assessments included static (stability indices: total, anterior–posterior, medial–lateral) and dynamic (dynamic moving the cursor) stability tests on the Biodex Stability System (Biodex, Inc, Shirley, NY). The results showed that in both training groups balance ability of the injured leg was significantly improved after the training period. In the final measurements, no statistically significant differences between the injured and healthy limb were found. The present study indicates that the performance of balance exercises in or out of water by collegiate students with functional ankle instability improves their balance ability. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level 1

The purpose of the present study was to investigate, the effectiveness of a balance training program in male professional handball players.Thirty professional handball players were randomly divided into experimental and control group.The experimental group (N=15), additional to the training program, followed an intervention balance program for 12 weeks.All subjects performed a static balance test (deviations from the horizontal plane).The results revealed that the 12-week balance training program improved (p<0.01) all balance performance indicators in the experimental group.Thus, a balance training program can increase balance ability of handball players, and could used as a prevent tool for lower limbs muscular skeletal injuries.

The purpose of the study was to compare 2 different balance training programs, based on distinct exercise frequencies, with the aim of improving proprioceptive ability. Thirty eight professional soccer players, were randomly assigned into 3 groups: the A group, exercised with a frequency of 6 times per week, for 3 weeks, the B group exercised with a frequency of 3 times per week, for 6 weeks and the C group (control) did not follow a highly specific balance training, but only a standard soccer training. All participants were evaluated with the use of an electronic stability system (indices-deviations) and of a wooden balance board (time on balance) before (pre test) and after the training period (post test). Analyses of variance (ANOVAs), with repeated measures on the last factor, were conducted to determine effect of training programs and measures (pre-test, post-test) on balance test indices (SI, API, and MLI) and time on balance board. The results showed that both training groups improved their balance ability similarly (p<0.05) despite the different frequency of the balance training program. The authors proposed that balance training program can be applied in soccer players on a daily basis or at least 3 times per week, according to the demands of the training period.

ABSTRACTObjectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate functional deficits after an ankle sprain in collegiate wrestling students and to examine the effectiveness of two different balance rehabilitation programs on balance ability.Methods: Thirty-three collegiate wrestling students with functional ankle instability were randomly divided into three groups. One subject group (n=10) underwent no specific balance training (control group). The remaining two groups followed an intervention balance program for 4 weeks, 3 times per week, 20 min per time using balance boards. One of the two training groups performed the exercise in a swimming pool- the "pool" group (N=13), and the other at the ground- the "land" group (N=13). Balance ability was assessed before and after the 4 week balance training program. Balance assessment included a stability index recorded on a Biodex Stability System. The functional ability evaluations used the "figure of 8" and "triple jump" tests.Results: The results showed that in both training groups balance and functional ability of the injured leg were significantly improved after the training period. In the final measurements no statistical significant differences between the injured and healthy limb were found.Conclusion: The present study indicates that the performance of balance exercises in or out of the water by wrestling athletes with functional ankle instability improves their balance ability.KEYWORDS:: AnkleBalanceAnkle InstabilityAnkle Rehabilitation