The purpose of this study is to observe how balance exercise on an unstable platform and on a stable platform affects balance ability. The subjects were 35 adults in their 20s and were randomly assigned to a stable platform group and an unstable platform group. They performed balance exercise three times per week for six weeks. Balance exercise introduced by previous research was modified and complemented for use in this study. Balance ability of the subjects was measured through center of pressure(COP) area, medial-lateral displacement, and anterior-posterior displacement using a portable balance platform BT4. There was significant difference in the COP area between the unstable platform exercise group and the stable platform exercise group. In comparison in differences between the unstable platform exercise group and the stable platform exercise group after the exercise, there was significant difference in anteriorposterior movement. Therefore, exercise on an unstable platform is more effective than exercise on a stable platform in strengthening balance ability.
The purpose of this study was to compare the balance ability at different foot angle with KAT 2000 (Breg, Inc., Vista, CA. 1994). Forty-nine (male 24, female 25) normal subjects participated in this study. All subjects were assessed under two conditions. One was eye-opened condition and the other one was eye-closed one in 3 psi surface condition. All subjects were tested at different foot angle that were toe-in , , toe-out and . The subject attempted to keep the platform as stable as possible with eyes closed and with eyes opened for every 20 seconds. The starting position was that subject crossed their arms across chest and flexed knees slightly. The results of each test were showed by a score on screen, which meant balance index. The se collected data were analyzed by using oneway ANOVA, Scheffe test, and t-test. The results of this study were as follows: 1. When the foot angle were changed, balance index was the lowest in toes-out condition and greatest with toes-in with eyes opened and with eyes closed. There were statistically significant difference with eyes opened and with eyes closed (p<0.05). 2. There was statistically significant difference in balance index according to visual condition and the balance index tested with eyes closed was higher than with eyes closed(p<0.05). 3. There was statistically significant difference in balance index by gender(p<0.05).
The purpose of this study were to evaluate and compare the balance ability at different conditions in normal 20 to 29 years old on unstable platform, KAT 2000(Breg, Inc., Vista, CA. 1994). Static and dynamic BI(balance index) were measured 3psi and 5psi surface conditions. Static tests were done on right and left leg separately, then both legs together with the feet apart 20cm with the eyes opened and closed. Dynamic tests were done on both legs together with apart 20cm with the eyes opened. A dynamic test was performed in which the subject moved platform in a circular manner to chase a moving object on a computer screen. Seventy healthy students(average 21.6 years, male, female) were tested. In this study applied the paired t-test and correlation to determine the statistical significance of result. The results were as follow: 1) The mean static balance index of the Rt leg was on 3psi surface condition with the eyes opened, and that of the Lt leg was . 2) The mean static balance index of the Rt leg was on 5psi surface condition with the eyes opened, and that of the Lt leg was . 3) The mean static and dynamic balance index of both legs were , on 3psi with the eyes opened, and , on 5psi respectively. 4) The mean static balance index of the Rt leg was on 3psi surface condition with the eyes closed, and that of the Lt leg was . 5) The mean static balance index of the Rt leg was on 5psi surface condition with the eyes closed, and that of the Lt leg was . 6) The mean static balance index of both legs was on 3psi surface condition with the eyes closed, and that of the 5psi was . 7) The balance index on 3psi surface condition was significantly higher than that of 5psi (p<0.05, p<0.01). 8) The balance index with the eyes closed was significantly higher than that of the eyes opened (p<0.05). 9) The balance index on the left leg was significantly higher than that of the right leg (p<0.05, p<0.01). 10) There was no correlation between static balance index and dynamic balance index. 11) Therewas no correlation between weight or height and balance index.