Training postural control with eyes closed vs. eyes open and effects on postural control improvement
Graduation Date
Spring 2020
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Kinesiology, option Exercise Science
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Justus Ortega
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Shannon Childs
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. Whitney Ogle
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Subject Categories
Kinesiology
Abstract
Introduction: Ankle sprains are one of the more common injuries in an athletic population. Postural control training can be used in prevention and rehabilitation for ankle sprains. When used preventively postural control training can decrease the risk of sustaining an ankle sprain by 38% (McGuine & Keene, 2006). There are a variety of postural control training programs all emphasizing different aspects of postural control, such as eyes closed, or eyes open situations. Training protocols with either eyes closed or eyes open have been shown to improve both static and dynamic postural control (Zech et al., 2010). The purpose of this study is to determine if training postural control with eyes-closed has the same effect on postural control improvement as training postural control with eyes-open.
Methods: Out of season collegiate athletes will undergo a 3 day per week postural control training program for 6 weeks. The participants were be split into two groups, one group did the entire training program with their eyes-closed and the other had their eyes-open. Static and dynamic postural control were measured using the mCTSIB and Limits of Stability tests, on the Biodex Balance System before and after the training program.
Results: Neither the eyes-closed or eyes open group significantly improved static or dynamic postural control (p > .05) after a 6-week postural control training program. There was no significant difference between individuals that trained with their eyes-closed or eyes-open (p> .05).
Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that neither eyes open nor eyes closed postural control training improves postural control over a 9 session/ 6-week training period.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Ulbricht, Mark D., "Training postural control with eyes closed vs. eyes open and effects on postural control improvement" (2020). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 392.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/392