Date of Award

6-2004

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Human Performance and Health Education

First Advisor

Dr. Mark Ricard

Second Advisor

Dr. Michael Miller

Third Advisor

Dr. Donna Ritenour

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Campus Only

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to determine if cross-education occurs through balance training by analyzing muscle onset latency and center of pressure changes. We used a 2 x 2 x 2 repeated measures ANOVA to determine the difference between the independent variables of balance training (before, after), training groups ( control, experimental), and leg (dominant, non-dominant), with the dependent variables of center of pressure and muscle latency. Measurements were taken before and after 5 weeks of balance training on the dominant leg. Sixteen college-age male and female students without a history of ankle instability volunteered for our study. Center of pressure changes during unilateral stance for Yx, Vy, X-median frequency, Y-median frequency and radial area were analyzed using a Kistler force platform. Reflex latency for both the dominant and non-dominant legs was analyzed using an inversion platform. The experimental group significantly improved over time for X-median frequency, 0.99 to 0.77 Hz, and Vx, 251.73 to 217.35 emfs, respectively. There were no significant changes for the variables of Y-median frequency, radial area, or muscle latency. Therefore we concluded five weeks of balance training does not induce a cross-education effect for measures of postural balance or muscle latency in healthy individuals.

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