THE EFFECTS OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE TRAINING ON AGILITY AND BALANCE IN NETBALL

Abstract

Context: There is diminutive research within female netball players with regards to injury prevention mechanisms and the effects of proprioception exercises as a single intervention. Poor balance has been closely associated with high injury risk and combined with forceful landing patterns ankle injury prevalence is extremely high within netball. Objective: To determine any performance enhancements within agility and balance following a six week proprioceptive training programme in university netball players. Design: Randomised controlled trial Setting: All data was collected before and after the six week intervention at the University of Wales, Institute, Cardiff (UWIC). Participants: 20 female UWIC netball academy athletes were randomly assigned to an experimental (N = 10) or control (N = 10) group once approving the inclusion criteria. Intervention: The experimental group participated in a progressive six week proprioceptive training programme that was designed sport specific to netball involving unstable balance equipment. Main Baseline Measures: Data was collected using the t-test for agility outcomes and the Y Balance Test (YBT) to measure balance before and after the intervention for both experimental and control groups. Results: The study found significant differences from pre to post tests and when compared to the control for the experimental group agility performance (P < 0.05). There was no statistical significant differences for both right and left leg balance pre to post measures (P > 0.05). The intervention did demonstrate evident bilateral improvements for balance performance following pre to post analysis and when the experimental group were compared to the control. Conclusion: The study provides evidence for proprioception being an effective means for performance enhancement within agility and balance as a single intervention and as a potential method for injury prevention within female netball athletes.