Effect of Instability Training Equipment on Lower Limb Kinematics and Muscle Activity

Abstract

To improve the effectiveness of training or therapy, it is important to know the benefits for each type of instability training equipment. The aim of this study was to show differences in lower limb kinematics and muscle activation during single leg standing on a slackline (SL) compared to a multi-functional rocker board (MD) and an air cushion (AC). In 14 subjects, mean angular velocity of the hip, knee and ankle, as well as the muscle activity (iEMG) from six lower limb muscles were recorded during 12 s of single leg standing task. Ankle in-/eversion and knee ab-/adduction angular velocity were highest for SL followed by MD and AC (all p < 0.05), as well as in the hip flex-/extension angular velocity with higher values for SL compared with AC (p < 0.01). Regarding iEMG, the rectus femoris muscle showed higher values for SL compared with MD (p < 0.05) and AC (p < 0.01). iEMG of biceps femoris muscle demonstrated higher values for MD compared to AC (p < 0.05), but with no difference to SL. Balancing on a SL is a more challenging exercise for the postural control system compared to MD and AC, and affects the knee and hip joint motion in particular.

Zusammenfassung

Damit ein Training im Leistungssport oder eine Therapie nach Verletzungen möglichst effektiv gestaltet werden kann, muss die spezifische Eigenschaft jedes einzelnen Trainings- bzw. Therapiegerätes bekannt sein. Das Ziel dieser Studie war es, mögliche Unterschiede in der Gelenkskinematik und den Muskelaktivitäten der unteren Extremitäten während eines einbeinigen Standes auf einer Slackline (SL) zu jenen auf einem multi-funktionalen Kippelbrett (MD) bzw. auf einem Luftkissen (AC) zu untersuchen. Bei 14 Versuchspersonen wurden mittels 3D-Kinematik die mittlere Winkelgeschwindigkeit im Hüft-, Knie- und Sprunggelenk, sowie die Muskelaktivität (iEMG) von sechs Muskeln der unteren Extremitäten während eines 12 s Einbeinstandes aufgezeichnet. Die mittlere Winkelgeschwindigkeit bei der Sprunggelenksin-/eversion und Knieab-/adduktion war beim Stehen auf der Slackline am höchsten, gefolgt vom multi-funktionalen Kippelbrett und dem Luftkissen (alle p < 0.05). Zudem zeigten sich Unterschiede in der mittleren Winkelgeschwindigkeit der Hüftflex-/extension zwischen Slackline und Luftkissen (p < 0.01). Die Muskelaktivität (iEMG) des m. rectus femoris war gegenüber dem multi-funktionalen Kippelbrett (p < 0.05) und dem Luftkissen (p < 0.01) auf der Slackline erhöht. Zusätzlich konnten Unterschiede im iEMG des m. biceps femoris zwischen multi-funktionalen Kippelbrett und dem Luftkissen (p < 0.05) festgestellt werden, welche jedoch keine signifikanten Differenzen zu der Muskelaktivität auf der Slackline aufwiesen. Im Vergleich zu einem multi-funktionalen Kippelbrett oder einem Luftkissen scheint das Balancieren auf einer Slackline generell eine größere Herausforderung an die Gleichgewichtskontrolle zu stellen und fordert primär eine Stabilität im Knie- und Hüftgelenk.

Key words

slackline - postural control - proprioception - injury prevention

Schlüsselwörter

Slackline - Gleichgewichtskontrolle - Propriozeption - Verletzungsprophylaxe

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