Purpose：The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the combined patterns of PNF(proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) on the static balance ability.
Methods：The measurements of the static balance ability were completed by 10 subjects for 6 weeks, from October to November 2007. The combined patterns of PNF were carried out by means of self-exercising suggested by Dietz, which were designed as four cases: two positions (standing and quadruped) for both patterns(sprinter and skater), respectively. The exercises were practiced once a day, 3 times a week in same condition. By using the GOOD BALANCE system, assessment of the static balance ability was taken at before and after exercise from 6 positions: normal standing, one leg left and one leg right standing when eye open and close, respectively. For each case, the experimental data was obtained in 3 items: mean X speed, mean Y speed and velocity moment.
Results：The results of this study were as follows :
1. There were statistically significant differences of Mean X speed, Mean Y speed and Velocity moment between the before and the after exercise in the case of normal standing when eye open and close(NSEO and NSEC), respectively.
2. There was statistically significant difference of Mean X speed between the before and the after exercise in the case of one leg left standing when eye open(OLLEO). In this case, however, the statistically significant differences were not found in both terms of Mean Y speed and Velocity moment.
3. There were statistically significant differences of Mean X speed and Mean Y speed between the before and the after exercise in the case of one leg left standing when eye close(OLLEC).
In this case, however, the statistically significant difference was not found in term of Velocity moment.
4. There were statistically significant differences of Mean X speed, Mean Y speed and Velocity moment between the before and the after exercise in the case of one leg right standing when eye close(OLREC).
5. There was statistically significant difference of Mean X speed between the before and the after exercise in the case of one leg right standing when eye open(OLREO). In this case, however, the statistically significant differences were not found in both terms of Mean Y speed and Velocity moment.
6. There were statistically significant differences of total Mean X speed, total Mean Y speed and total Velocity moment between the before and the after exercise.
Conclusions：The above results from this study indicated that the combined patterns of PNF have improved the static balance ability. However the used self-exercise can be applied to normal people, i.e., the exercise is difficult to apply into clinical patients. The further study should be focused at development of various modified forms of the combined patterns of PNF in keeping up the improvement effect of this exercise.
|