All of the
tests were performed in sustained bipodalic and monopodalic (both right and left) positions. The results showed
that players who participated in balance training for
12 weeks, compared to players who trained with isotonic
machines, exhibited a significantly increase in balance
(bipodalic 28.3 %; right 41.4 %; left 45.8 %; p 0.01)
and muscular power (bipodalic 8.1 %; right 13.5 %; left
12.5 %; p 0.01) as measured through a vertical jump. In
conclusion, balance training using unstable boards was an
effective training method for improving balance and the
vertical jump, which is a basketball-specific action that
frequently occurs in this sport.
Keywords Proprioception Stability Vertical jump
Basket
Introduction
Balance training is an interesting and controversial method
of training for coaches because of the transversal effect that
it may have on athletic performance in various sports and at
different ages. From the literature, an evidence-based
relationship between balance ability and the risk of injury
is clear. In fact, studies have demonstrated that systematic
training in a balance training program would be effective in
reducing the risk of injuries [1, 2]. It was observed that
when balance training was implemented during competitive season, the occurrence of injury rate was reduced by
38 % [3].
However, the link between balance ability and athletic
performance is not fully clear and required further evidence. There are, in fact, very few studies that specifically
investigated balance training as approach to improving
performance
Because of growing scientific knowledge, the role of
neuromuscular training has become better known [6].
Moreover, it has been used in combination with balance
training in different sports, such as basketball, soccer and
gymnastics