To assess the effects of a specific injury prevention neuromuscular training programme (IPP) on balance and lower-limb asymmetry in female competitive dancers (age 12 to 20 years; height 1.57 +/- 0.06 m; weight 24.27 +/- 2.79 kg) were randomly allocated to an active general control (GIPP, n = 7) and specific (SIPP n = 7) group. Both programmes were conducted for 6 weeks, with a frequency of three sessions per week. Dynamic balance and lower-limb asymmetry were assessed before and after the intervention. A greater improvement in right-leg total balance (86.6 (84.0 to 90.5) versus 93.8 (86.7 to 99.4) p = 0.035), left-leg total balance (87.8 (81.0 to 89.1) versus 93.6 (90.6 to 100.0) p = 0.013), left-leg anterior balance (71.9 (69.1 to 72.2) versus 74.6 (72.0 to 77.3) p = 0.041), left-leg posteromedial balance (80.5 (72.9 to 83.3) versus 85.9 (83.0 to 94.0); p = 0.048), and left-leg posterolateral balance (79.5 (70.4 to 84.5) versus 85.0 (80.0 to 88.5) p = 0.048) was observed in the SIPP group compared to the GIPP group. No other significant intra-group changes nor inter-group differences were noted. Therefore, compared to a GIPP, a SIPP induced greater improvements in lower-limb dynamic balance in female dancers, potentially leading to greater reduction in lower-limb injury risk.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher