EFFECTS OF 6 WEEKS BALANCE AND MOBILITY TRAINING ON POSTURAL CONTROL IN HEALTY SUBJECTS

Postural training is commonly performed in clinical, fitness and sport fields to improve performance and wellness. Despite his wide diffusion for healthy and unhealthy people, confusion still exist about focus, time and kind of training and many different techniques are currently suggested. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of 6 weeks training time using Bosu Balance Trainer® and Pancafit ® tools on postural control in healthy subjects. Nineteen healthy subjects volunteered for the study. They were divided in training (TG - n:10) and control (CG - n:9) group. TG trained for 6 weeks, 3 times per weeks, 60 minutes per session with focus on balance and mobility (30 minutes each one). Training program was settled with specific progression in both components to continuously stress the neuromuscular system. Postural control using stabilometric platform in eyes open (EO) and closed condition (EC) and spine mobility (SPINE) were assessed pre and post training. TG improved center of pressure (COP) area and displacement in EO and EC conditions, while CG in EO condition only. TG showed better improvements compared to CG for both COP measures, even if not significantly. TG improved SPINE in lumbar region and during trunk flexion, even if not significantly (p>0.05), while no improvements were observed in CG. These findings suggest that a short time (6 weeks) training time with same focus on balance and mobility could lightly improve postural control and spine mobility in healthy subjects. Bosu Balance Trainer® and Pancafit ® are efficient tools for this kind of training.