Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Master of Science in Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Department of Exercise Physiology and Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Sport Sciences Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
2
Associate professor, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
4
Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran
5
Master of Science in Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Purpose:
Physical inactivity adversely affects health and muscle function, highlighting the need for effective exercise strategies, such as Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS). This study aimed to examine the effects of DNS on core muscle endurance and static and dynamic balance in physically inactive girls.
Methods:
This semi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design (four and eight weeks) included 30 healthy inactive girls )8-12 years, BMI 15-18 kg/m²). Participants were purposefully and conveniently selected and then randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed DNS training three times/week (60 min) for eight weeks. Core muscle endurance and static and dynamic balance were assessed using the McGill test, Stork balance test, and Y-balance test, respectively. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA at a significance level of 0/05 with SPSS software version 27.
Results:
DNS significantly improved core muscle endurance (p ≤ 0.05), static balance with eyes open (p ≤ 0.05), static balance with eyes closed (p ≤ 0.05), and dynamic balance (p ≤ 0.05) in the experimental group. At week four, the effect sizes were moderate for core muscle endurance (d = 0.52), static balance with eyes open (d = 0.59), static balance with eyes closed (d = 0.68), and dynamic balance (d = 0.45), and increased to large at week eight for core muscle endurance (d = 0.90), static balance with eyes open (d = 1.18), static balance with eyes closed (d = 1.49), and dynamic balance (d = 1.17). In contrast, no significant changes occurred in the control group (p > 0.05).
Conclusion:
Eight weeks of DNS significantly improved core muscle endurance and balance, with greater gains over time. These findings support DNS-based protocols and suggest that they can be useful for physical therapists and occupational therapists in designing programs to enhance motor performance in inactive children.
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