Abstract
Introduction Plyometrics and balance exercises have been shown to reduce the incidence of lower limb injury. The effects of combining these exercises on dynamic balance have not been investigated. Objective To evaluate the effect of plyometrics, balance exercises, and a combination of both exercises on postural stability among female athletes compared to those who did not perform any specific exercise (control). Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Sports medicine laboratory. Participants Two hundred female athletes (mean age 21.9 +/- 2.4 years) were assigned randomly to a plyometrics exercise group (n = 50), a balance exercise group (n = 50), a combination of both exercises group (n = 50), or a control group (n = 50). One hundred seventy-nine female college athletes completed the study. Interventions Plyometrics exercises, balance exercises, and a combination of both exercises. Outcome Measures Limits of stability, which was assessed using the Biodex Stability System to evaluate the performance of the dynamic balance. It was measured pre- and post-intervention after 6 weeks. Results There were no differences in baseline data between groups (p = .557). All groups showed significant improvement in limits of stability (p < .001). The most marked improvement in the limits of stability was shown in the combination group compared to the control group (MD = 4.1%, 95% CI [2.8, 5.3], p < .001). Conclusions Combining plyometrics and balance exercises significantly increases the dynamic balance performance post-intervention among female athletes compared to the control group.