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Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability
Published on: September 18, 2020
Neuromuscular ankle joint stabilisation after 4-weeks WBV training
M Melnyk1, C Schloz, S Schmitt
1Department of Sport and Sport Science, University of Freiburg, Germany. mark.melnyk@unibas.ch
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|March 12, 2009
Summary
Four weeks of whole body vibration (WBV) training did not improve ankle joint stability. The study found no significant changes in muscle reflex activity or movement duration during simulated ankle sprains.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Whole body vibration (WBV) training is used in prevention and rehabilitation.
- Evidence for WBV's effect on ankle joint stabilization over weeks is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess 4-week WBV training effects on ankle muscles' reflex activity.
- To evaluate WBV's impact on ankle inversion movement duration after simulated sprains.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-six healthy subjects were split into intervention (WBV) and control groups.
- Intervention group used a vibration platform (30 Hz, 4 mm) thrice weekly for 3 minutes.
- Reflex activity and ankle movement duration were measured pre- and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- No significant changes in muscle reflex latencies or activity were observed.
- The duration of ankle inversion motion remained unchanged after WBV training.
- WBV training did not enhance ankle joint stability in response to inversion movements.
Conclusions:
- Four weeks of WBV training is unlikely to benefit ankle joint stability.
- Further research may be needed to explore different WBV parameters or durations.
