The role of balance and balance training in athletic performance: -- Balance has long been recognized as an important factor in a number of sports (such as gymnastics, and figure skating) and more recently has been regarded as important in other sports as well. Lack of balance has been shown to be detrimental to optimal performance through decreases in strength and force production, increased fatigue as well as predisposition to injury. Much of the research regarding balance training focuses on injury rehabilitation and prevention with little focus on examining the effects of short and long term balance training on athletic performance. The purpose of this paper is therefore to provide a comprehensive review of literature regarding balance, short and long term effects of balance training and its possible beneficial effects on athletic performance. -- The objective of this study was to determine the effects static balance and dynamic balance training on muscle activation strategies, static balance, jump and sprint performance. Twenty-four recreationally active females were tested pre- and post-training (static balance training, n= 11, dynamic balance training, n = 7 and control group, n = 6). Experimental subjects completed either static or dynamic balance exercises 4 times per week for 6 weeks. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to assess preparatory and reactive muscle activity of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), and the soleus during one- and two-foot landings. Maximum vertical jump, static balance and sprint times were also examined. A 3-way ANOVA revealed a significant (p<.05) increase in reactive rectus femoris activity, as well as a group by time interaction for the reactive rectus femoris activity. The static balance group showed a 33% increase in reactive rectus femoris activity (p<.01). There was also significantly less reactive hamstring to quadriceps coactivation following training (p<.05). The group by time interaction for the static balance and maximum vertical jump height performance (p<.05) were also significant. The static balance training group showed a 33% improvement in static balance and 9% improvement in jump height performances. Based on the finding from this study, it appears that balance training is specific to task and therefore training programs should be designed to mimic the demands of the sport or activity
