The effect of a core stability, m. gluteus medius and proprioceptive exercise program on dynamic postural control in netball players

English: Dynamic postural control is the ability to perform a functional task with purposeful movements that translates the body’s centre of gravity without compromising a stable base of support. The functional task might involve jumping or hopping to a new location and immediately attempting to remain as still as possible or attempting to create movements such as reaching or throwing without compromising the base of support (Winter, Patla and Frank, 1990; Kahle and Gribble, 2009, Gribble, Hertel and Plisky, 2012). Maintaining dynamic postural control is essential for netball players as netball players frequently find themselves on one leg having to make an accurate pass. Research by Ferreira and Spamer (2010) evaluated the physical profile of elite university netball players and found poor balance in these netball players during pre-season. No literature could be found regarding studies investigating a programme that utilized the combination of core stability, m.gluteus medius (GMed) strengthening and proprioceptive balance exercises on dynamic postural control or studies investigating the effect of an exercise programme on dynamic postural control in netball players. The research study was undertaken to determine if an exercise programme that incorporates core stability, m.GMed strengthening and proprioceptive balance exercises would lead to a significant improvement (p˂0.05) in dynamic postural control in a group of netball players. A cross-over randomised clinical trial was performed. Sixteen female university netball players selected in the top junior group participated in this study. Participants were randomly divided in two groups. Group A participated three times a week for six weeks in the exercise programme while group B was considered as the control group after which the roles were reversed. The simple Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) with three trials and four directions were used to measure dynamic postural control of the participants. All participants were assessed at baseline, after six weeks and after 12 weeks. Participants from both groups were tested simultaneously, and the data collector and assistant were blinded to which group the participants belonged. Data were analyzed by a biostatistician using student’s and paired t-tests. Dynamic postural control as measured with the SEBT demonstrated a statistically significant improvement (p<0.05) across three reach directions (anterior, medial and posterior) in a group of netball players post participation in an exercise programme that incorporated core stability, m.GMed strengthening and proprioceptive balance exercises. The study proposes that an exercise programme that incorporates core stability, m.GMed and proprioceptive balance exercises could be beneficial for improving dynamic postural control in a group of netball players. The results of the study provided substantial evidence for the use of a combination of core stability, m.GMed strengthening and proprioceptive balance exercises in programmes rehabilitating netball players with poor dynamic postural control. The present study also provides a baseline for further research whether an exercise programme that incorporated core stability, m.GMed strengthening and proprioceptive balance exercises would contribute towards improved performance and injury prevention in netball players. The effectiveness of the exercise programme described in the present study could be implemented and investigated in other sporting codes requiring dynamic postural control. Netball players can also confidently use the developed exercise programme in the present study to eliminate shortcomings in their physical profile, with regards to dynamic postural control.