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objective of this study was to determine the effects of fixed foot
and functionally directed balance training on static balance time,
muscle activation during landing, vertical jump height and sprint
time. Twenty-four recreationally active females were tested pre- and
post-training (fixed foot balance training, n= 11, functionally directed
balance training, n = 7 and control group, n = 6). Experimental subjects
completed either fixed foot or functionally directed balance exercises
4 times/week for 6 weeks. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used
to assess preparatory and reactive muscle activity of the rectus femoris
(RF), biceps femoris (BF), and the soleus during one- and two-foot
landings following a jump. Maximum vertical jump height, static balance
and 20-meter sprint times were also examined. The fixed foot balance-training
group showed a 33% improvement (p < 0.05) in static balance time
and 9% improvement in jump height. Neither type of training improved
sprint times. Further analysis revealed significant (p < 0.05)
overall (data collapsed over groups and legs) increases in reactive
RF activity when landing. Independently, the fixed foot balance group
showed a 33% increase in reactive RF activity (p < 0.01). Overall,
there was also significantly less reactive co-activation following
training (p < 0.05). It appears that fixed foot balance training
for recreationally active women may provide greater RF activity when
landing and increased countermovement jump height.
KEY
WORDS: Balance training, muscle activation, training specificity.
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