Author and graduation date: Steven J. GRECH, May, 1998

Committee members: Denise Wiksten (Chair), Patricia Patterson, Gene Lamke

Thesis title: A Comparison of Training on the KAT-2000 and fitter Physio Toner on Balance Performance

Research suggests an emphasis be placed on balance and proprioception exercises during the rehabilitation of athletic injuries. Conventional methods of restoring proprioceptive deficits during lower extremity rehabilitation have consisted of balance training on an unstable platform supported at its central pint by a round pivot, such as the Fitter Physio Toner (Fitter). These type of balance training devices are relatively inexpensive in monetary cost and can be easily duplicated. In the past 5 years, new highly technical balance devices have emerged in the athletic and clinical settings. One such example is the Kinesthetic Ability Training Balance Platform (KAT-2000). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of training on the Fitter versus the KAT-2000 on balance performance. Thirty-four volunteers served as subjects (23 experimental, 11 control). Subjects were moderately active college-aged (mean age = 22.9 + 3.1) students with no previous history of lower extremity injury during the past 6 months. All subjects had their static and dynamic balance evaluated prior to and following a balance-training regime. After pretesting, each subject was randomly assigned to the Fitter group, Kat group, or the non-training control group. After 3 weeks of balance training all subjects were post tested under the same conditions. Data were analyzed by mixed model 2 x 3 ANOVA to determine significant differences between pretest and posttest and between groups. A significance level of p <.10 was used for all tests. Results indicated a significant time effect occurred with all three groups displaying improved balance performance. No significant differences were detected between groups. The results seem to suggest that balance training is effective regardless of the balance device employed in the population used for this study. Further research is warranted to examine the use and effectiveness of conventional and highly technical balance devices on balance performance.

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