The Effect of Proprioceptive Training on Directional Dynamic Stabilisation

Abstract

Objectives: Significant loss of playing time and the impact of treatment costs due to lower limb injury in football demonstrates a need for improved protocols for injury risk reduction. The aim of the present study is to assess the effect of a proprioceptive training programme on the lower limb dynamic stability of elite footballers.

Methods: Sixteen elite premier league footballers were randomly allocated by matched pair design to an 8-week proprioception training group (group A, n = 8) or non-training group (group B, n = 8), to determine the effect of this training over a 16-week period. Group A completed 8 weeks of bilateral proprioceptive training, 5 times per week for 10 minutes. Biodex Dynamic Stability (BSS) measures of Overall Stability Index (OSI), Anterior-Posterior (A-P), Medial-Lateral Stability (M-L) at levels 8-6-4-1 were taken for both groups at baseline, 4, 8 and 16 weeks. Main effects of time, level of stability and direction of stability were determined, with comparisons of effect made between the two groups.

Results: The training group displayed significant differences for multi directional stability at week 8 (P ≤ 0.05). A-P stability within the training group displayed significant differences between baseline measures and 16 weeks (P > 0.05), with significant increases in scores displayed for M-L and A-P stability between weeks 8 and 16 (P ≤ 0.05), representing a detraining effect. No significant differences were detected at any time point for the non-training group (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Proprioceptive training over 8 weeks has a positive effect on all directions of stability. Greater declines in A-P stability were evident at 16 weeks when compared to M-L and OSI. Consideration must be given to the increased stability scores presented pre testing for A-P when compared to M-L. Findings of this work present implications for training design.