The effects of three types of balance training programs on measures of balance and muscle power in prepubertal children: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of static (SBT), quasi-dynamic (QDBT), and dynamic (DBT) balance training on balance and muscle power performance in prepubertal children.

DESIGN

Randomized, controlled trial design.

METHODS

Fifty-six children (10 and 11 years) were randomly assigned to static (n = 14), quasi-dynamic (n = 14) and dynamic balance training (n = 15), or a control group (n = 13). One-legged static (i.e., unipedal stance on stable surface), quasi-dynamic (i.e., unipedal stance on unstable surface), and dynamic balance (i.e., jumping and stabilizing in unipedal stance on unstable surface) were assessed using two dependent variables, i.e., center of pressure surface area (CoP SA) and velocity (CoP V) with opened (OE) and closed (CE) eyes; as well as lower limbs muscle power (i.e., standing long jump test [SLJ] and countermovement jump [CMJ height]).

RESULTS

A significant group × test interactions were observed for static (CoP SA OE; p < 0.05, d = 1.18), quasi-dynamic (CoP SA CE; p < 0.05, d = 0.80), dynamic (CoP V CE; p < 0.05, d = 0.87) balance and power (SLJ [p < 0.05, d = 0.87] and CMJ height [p < 0.01, d = 2.66]) tests. Post hoc analysis showed that DBT demonstrated greater improvement in the measure of balance (p < 0.05, d = 0.80 to 5.17) and power (p < 0.05, d = 2.66 to 3.65) performance.

CONCLUSIONS

To enhance balance and muscle power performance in prepubertal children, it appears that the level of difficulty in balance training may influence the observed effects.