Exercise using mung bean bag improves balance in healthy young adults

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise using a mung bean bag (MB) for balance ability. Thirty-nine healthy female young adults (aged 18–25 years with normal body mass index) were randomly assigned into three groups (n for each group = 13): control group, firm surface (FS) exercise group, and MB exercise group. The FS and MB groups were trained with static and dynamic balance exercises (20 minutes × 3 times/week × 6 weeks). Participants’ balance abilities were measured using a Balance Master 4 times: at pre-training (baseline) and at the second, fourth, and sixth weeks post-training. Three tests were assessed: unilateral stance test, modified clinical test for sensory integrations on balance (mCTSIB), and limits of stability (LOS) test. The MB group significantly improved unilateral stance balance in both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions, whereas the FS group improved only in the eyes-closed condition. No significant difference was found across groups in the mCTSIB parameters. Only the FS group significantly improved LOS parameters. These results suggest the MB exercise could be used to improve unilateral stance balance, but not the LOS or mCTSIB, in healthy young adults.

KEYWORDS:

• Balance training
• mung bean bag
• unilateral stance

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Miss Kamonwan Sanitareepon, Miss Janjira Saekow, and Miss Natsinee Poophanee for their assistance with data collection. This study was supported in part by the Research Fund of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University (Grant number: AHS-CU 57004).

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.