Effects of proprioceptive training and whole body vibration exercise on balance and neuromuscular function in athlete with functional ankle instability
Abstract:
This study aimed to examine and compare the effects of proprioceptive training (PPT) or whole-body vibration exercise (WBV) alone and the combination (PPT+WBV) on balance and neuromuscular function in athletes with functional ankle instability (FAI). A total of 52 university athletes (22 men and 30 women), aged between 18 27 years, who suffered from functional ankle instability participated in the study. They were screened for physical examination and passed the inclusion criteria with a CAIT self-reported score ≤ 24. Participants were randomly assigned into one of 4 groups: a control (n=13), a PPT (n=13), a WBV (n=13) and a PPT+WBV (n=13) group. While the experimental groups performed their protocols 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks, the control group received no intervention rehabilitation. Before and after 6 weeks of training period, the single leg static balance test using Biodex balance system and the dynamic balance test using the star excursion balance test (SEBT), the joint position sense test (JPS), the ankle muscle strength test and ankle function movement test, and the hoffman reflex (H-reflex) in the soleus muscle were measured. The results showed that there were no significant differences in any parameters examined before and after training in the control group. After 6 weeks of training, the WBA group had significantly improved (p<0.05) in static and dynamic balance, time to stability in single leg drop jumping (TTS), ankle muscle strength and the H-reflex at soleus muscle, but not the joint position-sensing, compared to pre-training. Similarly, the PPT group had significantly improved in static balance, JPS, TTS, and the H-reflex at soleus muscle, but not the ankle muscle strength and dynamic balance. Interestingly, the WBV+PTT group showed greater improvement (p <0.05) of static and dynamic balance, JPS, TTS as well as the increased H-reflex at soleus muscle, except for the ankle muscle strength, compared to prior training and other groups. Moreover, the pearson product-moment correlation coefficient showed positive correlations between the improvement of static balance and ankle muscle strength in all groups (p=0.01), WBV (p=0.00), and PPT+WBV (p=0.02) but not the PPT (p=0.08) and Control (p=0.07) groups and between the improvement of static balance and H-reflex at soleus muscle in all groups (p = 0.01), PPT+WBV (p=0.00), WBV (p=0.01), and PPT (p=0.04) but not the Control (p=0.75) group. In conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the combined proprioceptive training and whole-body vibration exercise rehabilitation program tend to be more effective at improving the static and dynamic balance, ankle functional movement, and neuromuscular function compared to the proprioceptive training or whole-body vibration exercise program alone in athletes with FAI. Therefore, this program can be used to aid in post-recovery rehabilitation in athletes with ankle instability.