Objective: Evaluation of the effects of a physical and proprioceptive training on the static and dynamic balance in Olympic windsurfers. Equipment and methods: The experimental protocol consisted of 11 high level participants who were divided into two groups (PG = 6 and TG = 5), a proprioception group (PG) performing a proprioceptive conditioning on an unstable surface and a control group (TG) using a traditional conditioning. The period of experimentation lasted 6 weeks and balance was evaluated before and after training with two different tests: static balance on a force platform and dynamic balance with an accelerometer. Results: At the end of the protocol only the PG significantly improved their static balance in the unipodal position, as well as their dynamic balance. It can be concluded that unspecific proprioceptive training significantly improves the perception of balance in Olympic windsurfers. These results revealed that the importance of developing these perceptual skills in a sport such as sailing should be taken into account.
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