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Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Ankle; Joints--Range of motion; Trampolines; Academic theses;

Abstract

Training functionally unstable ankles has been performed using many techniques, producing various results. There is debate as to which method is the best. No studies have been done on the effects of trampoline training on functionally unstable ankles. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dynamic (trampoline) or static (solid floor) training methods produced greater stability gains (postural control) in individuals with functionally unstable ankles. Thirty-seven university students (17 men and 20 women; age 21.6 +/- 1.9 years; mass, 78.2 +/-13.8 kg; height, 177.0 +/- 7.9 cm) with functional ankle instability volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were asked to pre-test, perform four weeks of ankle training, and post-test. Testing was done to measure postural control by having subjects stand on one foot on a force plate for five seconds. Each leg was tested six times at each testing session. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups prior to pre-testing. Group one trained on a miniature trampoline three times per week for four weeks. Training was done under the supervision of a research team member and consisted of 10 minutes of alternating bouts of 30 seconds balancing and 30 seconds rest. Group two trained on a solid floor three times per week for four weeks. Training protocol was identical to the trampoline group except training was done on a solid floor and documentation was done by the subject. Group three was a control group that did no ankle training beyond normal every day activities. Results revealed a significant main effect for time (P = .003), all groups significantly improved. There was however, no significant training group-by-time interaction, no group improved more than any other (P = .92). The finding of no significant group-by-time interaction can be explained by a learning effect since even the control group significantly improved following four weeks of no ankle training.

Year of Submission

2004

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services

First Advisor

Todd A. Evans

Second Advisor

Karie L. Hamstra

Third Advisor

Richard B. William

Comments

If you are the rightful copyright holder of this thesis and wish to have it removed from the Open Access Collection, please submit a request to scholarworks@uni.edu and include clear identification of the work, preferably with URL.

Date Original

2004

Object Description

1 PDF file (65 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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