Improved balance function
Two types of supervised learning conditions were implemented
during the balance training.7 For the first type
(‘circle’ and ‘target’), a given stereotyped pattern of movement
had to be generated, requiring a high precision of
movement performance. For the second type (‘basketball’
and ‘ski’), the participants apparently applied a general
strategy of voluntary postural control that included attention,
decision making, and performance of the task with
different movement patterns. In addition, mixed conditions
(‘hunting’ and ‘octahedron’) were used during the training.
Our analysis revealed that the most successful improvement
was achieved in exercises of the first type that presented the
same movement pattern again and again, whereas less
progress was obtained in exercises with different movement
patterns. The lowest performance and learning rate during
the exercise ‘octahedron’ might be explained by a greater
muscle activity during this exercise; thus, the improvement
of muscle performance occurred with a lower increment
than enhancement in postural synergies and strategies.
Evidence from human studies has shown that goaloriented
and task-specific training improves impaired function
after central and peripheral nervous system disorders or
lesions.14–16 Presumably, an increase in cortical control of
muscles after incomplete SCI might allow functional recovery
through the development of alternative movement
strategies.25 As a result, the motor programs for balance
control strategies, provided by task-specific training, seemed
to be effective and could affect the final outcome of the
participants in our study.