Unilateral balance training of noninjured individuals and the effects on postural sway

The purpose of this study was to provide normative data on postural sway by comparing the mean gain score between two balance training groups and a control group. Twenty-seven recreational collegiate athletes (14 females, 13 males, 18-36 years old) with no past documented lower extremity injury or lesion of the vestibular system were randomly placed into three groups: control (nontraining), foam surface training, or hard surface training. The Chattecx Dynamic Balance System (CDB) was utilized for objective post- and pretraining recordings. CDB tests were performed on the training and nontraining extremities with subjects' eyes open and eyes closed. Results revealed no significant post to pre mean gain score differences within any group, nor was any significance revealed between group differences. Although no significant differences were revealed, trends indicated specificity of training toward testing mode. These data should assist clinicians in preventing ankle injury or compensating for ankle instability with balance training.