Effects of PNF Pattern Exercise on Unstable Support Surfaces with and without Visual Occlusion on Balance and Gait in College Students

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of core muscle strengthening training and core exercise on unstable support on the balance and performance of a shooter. Methods: Fourteen athletes were randomly assigned to perform core muscle strength training for seven athletes, and seven athletes were exercised on an unstable surface. Two groups were conducted three times a week for 20 minutes. Static balance, dynamic balance, and shooting scores were measured before and after the experiment. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in static balance, dynamic balance in the group trained on the unstable support surface (p<.05). Conclusion: Based on this experiment, it can be seen that the balance training of the shooter on the unstable support surface is more effective than the balance of other methods.

The findings of this study may serve as a basis for designing informed patient-specific balance rehabilitation programs and strategies to improve stability and minimize falls in patients with distal radius fractures. The integrative methodology presented in this work can be extended to postural control and balance assessment for various orthopaedic/neurological conditions.

Objective:The purpose of this study was to measure muscle activation during ascending and descending phases of the push-up exercise on both stable and unstable support surfaces.Participants:Fourteen asymptomatic male amateur badminton players. During push-up exercises on stable and unstable bases, muscle activation measurements were collected with phase divisions (ascending and descending phase).Methods:Electromyography (EMG) was utilized to measure activation of the upper trapezius (UT) and lower trapezius (LT), middle serratus anterior (MSA) and lower serratus anterior (LSA), pectoralis major (PM), and triceps brachii (TB) muscles.Results:An unstable support surface produced significantly greater activation of the UT, LT, LSA, and PM muscles than a stable support surface (p &lt; 0.05). The MSA, LSA, TB, and PM muscles demonstrated greater activation during the ascending phase than the descending phase of the push-up exercise (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusions:The unstable support surface appeared to produce relatively greater activation of the LSA than that of the MSA. The descending phase of the push-up did not demonstrate a higher level of activation for any of the muscles tested.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the muscle thicknesses of the upper trapezius, serratus anterior, and pectoralis major, stabilizing the scapula, according to changes in the position of the unstable support surface. Methods: Thirty males in their 20s were randomly assigned into three groups: stable support group (control group), Togu to the arm (experimental group 1), and Togu to the leg groups (experimental group 2). These different push-up plus exercises were performed for four weeks. Results: We found that there was a significant increase in the muscle thickness of the upper trapezius, serratus anterior, and pectoralis major in all groups during the exercise. The increase in the muscle thickness was the highest in the experimental group 1, followed by experimental group 2 and control group. Conclusion: This study shows that Push-up plus exercise has a positive effect on the scapula stabilization muscles. The exercise with an unstable support surface using Togu would be an effective method for scapular muscles.

Differences between trunk sway characteristics on a foam support surface and on the Equitest ankle-sway-referenced support surface.

Purpose. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of prosthetic foot types on the postural stability among transtibial amputees when standing on different support surfaces. Materials and Methods. The postural stability of 10 transtibial amputees wearing solid ankle cushion heel (SACH) foot, single-axis (SA) foot, and energy-saving and return (ESAR) foot was assessed. Results were compared with able-bodied participants. Anterior-posterior stability index (APSI), mediolateral stability index (MLSI), and overall stability index (OSI) were measured by computed posturography in an upright stance on firm, foam, and unstable support surfaces. Results. The mean OSI score of SACH foot was significantly lower than that of an ESAR foot when the participants were standing on a compliant surface. When compared to able-bodied group, MLSI score was significantly higher for each of the prosthetic foot groups while OSI score was significantly higher for ESAR foot only in foam condition. Conclusions. Differences between prosthetic foot types and groups (amputees versus able-bodied) can only be distinguished when individuals were standing on a compliant surface. Amputees exhibited an increased postural instability in the mediolateral direction than able-bodied individuals. Hence, the restoration of stability in the frontal plane and the enhancement of proprioception at the residual limb should be the basis of rehabilitation programs.

Core muscle activity during suspension exercises

ObjectivesChronic ankle instability (CAI) is characterized by recurrent ankle sprains and impaired postural control, which are particularly evident on unstable surfaces. Evidence indicates that the central nervous system undergoes adaptive plastic changes; however, the specific cortical mechanisms involved remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate postural stability and cortical activation in individuals with CAI, especially on unstable surfaces, in order to identify compensatory cortical strategies underlying impaired postural control.MethodsSeventeen people with CAI and seventeen without CAI were recruited. Static postural control was measured under two experimental conditions: a stable surface and an unstable surface simulated by a foam pad. Static postural control was measured during single-leg standing and was represented by the root mean square (RMS) of the plantar center of pressure (COP). Cerebral cortex oxyhemoglobin concentration (ΔHbO₂) was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Two-way mixed ANOVA (between group: CAI vs. non-CAI, within group: stable vs. unstable surface) was used to analyze data.ResultsAcross different support surfaces, distinct patterns of between-group differences were observed. Under the stable surface condition, CAI group exhibited significantly lower sample entropy in the mediolateral direction of the center of pressure (SampEn_ML) compared with the non-CAI group. In contrast, under the unstable surface condition, the between-group differences were primarily reflected in increased COP sway magnitude and cortical activation. Moreover, during single-leg standing on the unstable surface, the CAI group demonstrated a significantly larger 95% confidence ellipse area (95%Area), greater root mean square of anteroposterior COP displacement (COP_RMS_AP), and higher ΔHbO₂ levels in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), somatosensory association cortex (SAC), and the premotor and supplementary motor area (PMC & SMA) than the non-CAI group.ConclusionsIndividuals with CAI exhibit impaired postural stability, particularly on unstable surfaces, accompanied by increased activation in the primary motor cortex, primary sensory cortex, somatosensory association cortex, and the premotor and supplementary motor area. These findings suggest a compensatory neural strategy, highlighting the critical role of cortical mechanisms in maintaining postural control in this population.

Background: Push-up (PU) is widely considered an effective exercise to stabilize the scapular, especially if performed on unstable surfaces. However, available studies cover a wide range of exercise variations and differ according to exercise prescription, muscle selection and study design. Therefore, findings are contradictory, and conclusions for a proper application of the PU are difficult to draw. Objective: To synthesize the available literature on the changes in the activity of the periscapular muscles in individuals without scapular dyskinesis while performing different types of PU on unstable surfaces. Search procedure: Four online databases were searched from the earliest publications to 9 August 2023, using predefined keywords. Out of the 2,850 potential references identified in the primary search, 92 studies were reviewed in detail, of which 38 met the inclusion criteria and were included. Methodological quality was evaluated using a standardized form based on the Newcastle‒Ottawa scale for observational studies. Data combination was performed using CMA (v3), and the random-effects model was used to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The use of unstable surfaces in people without scapular dyskinesis led to increased activity of the upper trapezius during the PU (p = 0.017; I2 = 84.95%; SMD = 0.425 [95% CI 0.077, 0.773]) and knee PU (p = 0.023; I2 = 70.23%; SMD = 0.474 [95% CI 0.066, 0.882]) exercises and increased activity of the middle trapezius (MT) (p = 0.003; I2 = 64.50%; SMD = 0.672 [95% CI 0.225, 1.119]) and serratus anterior (SA) (p = 0.039; I2 = 4.25%; SMD = 0.216 [95% CI 0.011, 0.420]) muscles during the push-up plus (PUP) exercise. Conclusion: Using an unstable support base during PU does not necessarily increase the activity of all scapular stabilizers. The amount of muscle activity depends on the type of PU other than the type of support base. If an unstable surface is used, PUP exercise appears to be the most effective modality to increase the quality of training, improve performance, and prevent the occurrence of scapular dyskinesis due to the increase in the activity of the MT and SA muscles. Systematic Review Registration: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, CRD42021268465.

Background: Recently, the oscillatory bar has been proposed as a new and effective rehabilitation tool in people with nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP), although its effects on muscular control in this population have not been well documented, especially in lower extremity muscles and different support surface conditions.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of flexi-bar use on stable and unstable surfaces on electromyographic activity of trunk and lower extremity muscles in healthy persons and those with NSLBP.Material and Methods: 18 healthy men and 18 men with NSLBP participated in this cross-sectional study. The root mean square value of electromyographic activity was calculated in the trunk and lower extremity muscles during 4 different task conditions: quiet standing (QS) or flexi-bar use on a rigid or foam support surface. A repeated measures test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The results showed that the amplitude activity of almost all muscles was significantly greater during flexi-bar use than in the QS condition (P<0.05). The rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius demands were significantly greater on the foam than the rigid surface (P<0.05).Conclusion: This study showed that oscillatory forces caused by flexi-bar use can increase muscle activation in multiple segments (hip and ankle in addition to trunk muscles) that are crucial for postural stability. Furthermore, the foam surface appeared to target the rectus femoris in addition to the ankle muscles. Using a flexi-bar may be helpful in NSLBP rehabilitation, and exercising on a foam surface may enhance additive hip muscle activity in people with NSLBP.

Balance control and adaptation of kinematic synergy in aging adults during forward trunk bending

IntroductionPostural control is essential for humans to maintain balance under both static and dynamic conditions. A variety of unstable support surfaces are used to evaluate postural control. Balance foam pads are relatively expensive, whereas natural rubber pads use a natural material with equivalent viscoelastic properties that are inexpensive and widely available. No postural sway and reliable data existed to support the practice of using a natural rubber pad. The purposes of the study were to determine the test-retest reliability of postural sway by using a natural rubber pad and to compare postural sway in healthy adults while using a foam pad, a natural rubber pad and a firm surface.MethodsNineteen healthy participants were measured for centre of pressure (COP) velocity and displacement during a quiet stance, with their eyes closed, on a balance foam pad (blue foam – Airex®), a natural rubber pad and a firm surface on a force platform. Two repeated sessions were conducted three days apart. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to determine the test-retest reliability. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the three surface conditions.ResultsThe natural rubber pad demonstrated moderate to good reliability for COP velocity and COP displacement. Also, there were no significant differences in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) COP velocity and displacement between the balance foam pad and the natural rubber pad.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that a natural rubber pad could be employed as a low-cost alternative to the balance foam pad for evaluating the balance of healthy adults.

BackgroundSurface instability is a common addition to traditional rehabilitation and strength exercises with the aim of increasing muscle activity, increasing exercise difficulty and improving joint proprioception. The aim of the current study was to determine if performing upper body closed kinetic chain exercises on a labile surface (Swiss ball) influences myoelectric amplitude when compared with a stable surface.MethodsThirteen males were recruited from a convenience sample of college students. Surface electromyograms were recorded from the triceps, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, rectus abdominis and external oblique while performing push up exercises with the feet or hands placed on a bench and separately on a Swiss ball. A push up plus exercise was also evaluated with hands on the support surface.Results and discussionNot all muscles responded with an increase in muscle activity. The pectoralis major muscle was not influenced by surface stability. The triceps and rectus abdominis muscles showed increases in muscle activity only when the hands were on the unstable surface. The external oblique muscle was only influenced by surface stability during the performance of the push up plus exercise. No muscle showed a change in activation level when the legs were supported by the Swiss ball instead of the bench.ConclusionMuscle activity can be influenced by the addition of surface instability however an increase in muscle activity does not influence all muscles in all conditions. The relationship between the participant's center of mass, the location of the unstable surface and the body part contacting the Swiss ball may be important factors in determining the muscle activation changes following changes in surface stability.

A Comparative Study on the Immediate Effect of Single Limb Stance Exercise According to the Supporting Surface on the Dynamic Balance Ability and Abdominal Muscle Thickness of College Students in Their Twenties