Balance Training to Prevent Sports Injuries

Proprioceptive balance exercises have been used routinely as part of physical therapy programs following injury and are becoming more commonly used in injury reduction programs.¹ This prospective study from the University of Calgary sought to determine the effectiveness of a home balance-training program using a “wobble board” to improve balance and reduce sports-related injuries in adolescents. Ten Calgary, Alberta schools were chosen randomly. Half of the schools were randomly designated as intervention groups, with the remaining 5 schools serving as controls.

Approximately 60 students at each school were enrolled in the study with equal recruitments of male and female subjects. Students withdrawing from the study were replaced with a student of the same …