Effects of proprioception and core stability training followed by detraining on balance performance in deaf male students: a three-arm randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose

Children with hearing impairment are unable to speak and may suffer from some physical problems such as weakness in postural performance ability and development. The aim of the current study was to explore the effects of proprioception versus core stability training for an 8-week period followed by a 6-month detraining protocol on the balance performance of deaf students.

Materials and methods

This is a randomized controlled trial design of three groups in blinded evaluators. The study was conducted at the school gym. A total of 30 participants, of male deaf students, were randomized into three groups: (1) one group receiving proprioception training (PT, n = 10), (2), one group receiving core stability training (CST, n = 10) for 8 weeks, and (3), and control group (CON, n = 10). The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) test and Y-balance test assess static and dynamic balance at pre- and post-training following a 6-month detraining.

Results

Post 8 weeks of training intervention, PT and CST values showed significant improvements in both static (p = 0.001) and dynamic (p = 0.001) balance. Following the 6-month detraining, only the PT group maintained their improvements in both the static and dynamic balance tests (p = 0.348) and the CST group showed decreases in the balance tests (p = 0.034).

Conclusions

The results indicate that 8 weeks rehabilitation program (PT and CST) is an optimum training modality to enhance balance in deaf students and PT induces more training effects than CST for maintaining training benefits following the detraining. Clinical trial registry number: IRCT20170312033029N2; URL: https://en.irct.ir/trial/25584; Trial Id: 25584; Registration date: 2017-12-08; Study start date; 2017-12-22

Keywords:

• Balance
• proprioception training
• core stability training
• deaf
• postural control

Acknowledgements

The researcher thanks the Head of the Faculty of Physical Education, University of Guilan; Center for Exceptional Children of Rasht; the principal and teachers at Baghcheban 1 School in Rasht; and all the study participants.

Ethical approval

This trial obtained ethical approval from the Institute of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (Iran) IR. SSRI. REC. 2017. 146.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

None declared.