SCIENCE

PROPRIOCEPTIVE TRAINING

Proprioception is defined as the neural process by which the body receives sensory input from its surroundings and integrates this information to produce a motor response (Han et al., 2015).

The proprioceptive information is delivered to each motor control center and is used to collect information on joint position and kinesthesia (joint movement) to elicit active and reflexive movements. Neuromuscular control is defined as the unconscious efferent response to an afferent signal concerning dynamic joint stability (Ghez, 1991).

Balance exercises such as those performed with LITE SWING can improve the ability of the sensorimotor system to adapt to a changing environment and consequently, as reported by several authors, specifically improve balance during motor gestures. For example, interventions of 6 or more weeks with a minimum of 2 weekly sessions led to a significant decrease in static postural oscillation on stable platforms (Zech et al., 2010). These adaptations in the neuromuscular control mechanisms induced by proprioceptive training (Hewett, Paterno & Myer, 2002) have been attributed to the reduced incidence of sports injuries, including that of the anterior cruciate ligament (Hewett, Ford & Myer 2006; Emery et al. , 2006; McGuine & Keene, 2006; Bscher et al., 2010; Ma et al., 2021).

DISCOVER SWING

The exercises on balance platforms can range from simply maintaining an upright posture, up to the execution of lunges or movements typical of sports performed on the unstable surface, taking into account that, as the coordinative complexity of the movement increases, so does the difficulty in maintaining balance and therefore further stress on the proprioceptive system and coordination (Bosch & Cook,  2015).

Although proprioceptive training is a powerful ally in reactivation and injury prevention, it should be noted that for athletes (with advanced motor skills), the effect of balance training for performance enhancement (eg, improving sprinting, jumping and overall strength) in specific sports may not be more effective than when using other strength training methods on stable surfaces (Zech et al., 2010).

CONSULT BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bosch, F., & Cook, K. (2015). Strength training and coordination: an integrative approach. Rotterdam: 2010 Publishers.

Bscher, M. H., Zech, A., Pfeifer, K., Nsel, F. H., Vogt, L., & Banzer, W. (2010). Neuromuscular training for sports injury prevention: a systematic review. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 42(3), 413-421.

Bscher, M. H., Zech, A., Pfeifer, K., Nsel, F. H., Vogt, L., & Banzer, W. (2010). Neuromuscular training for sports injury prevention: a systematic review. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 42(3), 413-421.

Emery, C. A., Cassidy, J. D., Klassen, T. P., Rosychuk, R. J., & Rowe, B. H. (2005). Effectiveness of a home-based balance-training program in reducing sports-related injuries among healthy adolescents: a cluster randomized controlled trial. Cmaj, 172(6), 749-754.

Ghez C. The control of movement. In: Kandel E, Schwartz J, Jessell T, eds. Principles of Neural Science. New York, NY: Elsevier Science; 1991:533-547

Han, J., Anson, J., Waddington, G., Adams, R., & Liu, Y. (2015). The role of ankle proprioception for balance control in relation to sports performance and injury. BioMed research international, 2015.

Hewett, T. E., Ford, K. R., & Myer, G. D. (2006). Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female athletes: Part 2, a meta-analysis of neuromuscular interventions aimed at injury prevention. The American journal of sports medicine, 34(3), 490-498.

Hewett, T. E., Paterno, M. V., & Myer, G. D. (2002). Strategies for enhancing proprioception and neuromuscular control of the knee. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®, 402, 76-94.

Ma, J., Zhang, D., Zhao, T., Liu, X., Wang, J., Zheng, H., & Jin, S. (2021). The effects of proprioceptive training on anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation, 35(4), 506-521.

McGuine, T. A., & Keene, J. S. (2006). The effect of a balance training program on the risk of ankle sprains in high school athletes. The American journal of sports medicine, 34(7), 1103-1111.

Zech, A., Hübscher, M., Vogt, L., Banzer, W., Hänsel, F., & Pfeifer, K. (2010). Balance training for neuromuscular control and performance enhancement: a systematic review. Journal of athletic training, 45(4), 392-403.