The Effects of Plyometric vs. Dynamic Stabilization and Balance Training on Power, Balance, and Landing Force in Female Athletes

Abstract

Neuromuscular training protocols that include both plyometrics and dynamic balance exercises can significantly improve biomechanics and neuromuscular performance and reduce anterior cruciate ligament injury risk in female athletes. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of plyometrics (PLYO) versus dynamic stabilization and balance training (BAL) on power, balance, strength, and landing force in female athletes. Either PLYO or BAL were included as a component of a dynamic neuromuscular training regimen that reduced measures related to ACL injury and increased measures of performance. Nineteen high school female athletes participated in training 3 times a week for 7 weeks. The PLYO (n = 8) group did not receive any dynamic balance exercises and the BAL (n = 11) group did not receive any maximum effort jumps during training. Pretraining vs. posttraining measures of impact force and standard deviation of center of pressure (COP) were recorded during a single leg hop and hold. Subjects were also tested for training effects in strength (isokinetic and isoinertial) and power (vertical jump). The percent change from pretest to posttest in vertical ground reaction force was significantly different between the BAL and PLYO groups on the dominant side (p < 0.05). Both groups decreased their standard deviation of center of pressure (COP) during hop landings in the medial/lateral direction on their dominant side, which equalized pretested side to side differences. Both groups increased hamstrings strength and vertical jump. The results of this study suggest that both PLYO and BAL training are effective at increasing measures of neuromuscular power and control. A combination of PLYO and BAL training may further maximize the effectiveness of preseason training for female athletes.

Sagittal-Plane Trunk Position, Landing Forces, and Quadriceps Electromyographic Activity

“…7,8 Based on this notion, numerous investigations and ACL injury-prevention programs have been implemented in an effort to reduce landing forces. [9][10][11] After initial ground contact during landing, the quadriceps act eccentrically to counter the knee flexion imposed by ground reaction forces. Research in the cadaveric knee 12,13 and in vivo 14 has indicated that quadriceps activation introduces stress and strain to the ACL and is capable of producing ACL injury and rupture in vitro.…”

Examination of Age-related Core Stability and Dynamic Balance in Hockey Players

“…Dynamic stabilization is ability to maintain equilibrium during the transition from motion to a stationary position, such as a landing movement (Myer, Ford, Brent, & Hewett, 2006). Dynamic balance is the capacity to maintain the center of mass over a fi xed base of support under a movement challenge.…”

The 2012 ABJS Nicolas Andry Award: The Sequence of Prevention: A Systematic Approach to Prevent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

“…In addition, for every 1.3-mm increase in side-to-side difference in AP knee displacement (measured by KT-2000, MEDmetric, San Diego, CA, USA) the odds of ACL injury increased fourfold and positive knee hyperextension increased ACL injury odds fivefold [76]. Females who experienced subsequent ACL injury had decreased hamstrings strength but similar quadriceps strength compared with male control subjects [63].…”