The ankle exercise board can be used as an instrument quantifying human balance skills. However, this requires an appropriate recording of the board movement. Using the theory of generalizing integrated navigation systems, we apply a corresponding motion measurement system. The increase of balance performance on the ankle disk (t: 45 s) is indicated by the quotient of net balance time (tbal.,net) and the standard deviation of the angle positions of phi, theta and psi (RMSxyz). To illustrate the application and the utility of the measurement system, some aspects of investigating the balance skills of elderly adults and students of physical education are presented. In the first experiment elderly adults (N = 26) are investigated during a cross-country journey. The measurements are taken at the beginning and the end of the course. The improvement of the balance performance on the measure disk confirms the efficiency of motor exercise in the elderly. In the second experiment we study the relation between prevention of ankle sprain and the postural control of students (N = 24). Participants are asked to stand daily on an ankle exercise board while they brush their teeth. The results show the efficiency of the interventions in the treatment group compared to the control group. Finally, it is argued that our research on balance performance can add new tools and methodologies to describe the results of interventions in postural control more precise.
© Copyright 2003 Messplätze, Messplatztraining, motorisches Lernen: ausgewählte Beiträge; 5. gemeinsames Symposium der dvs-Sektionen Biomechanik, Sportmotorik und Trainingswissenschaft; Universität Leipzig, Sportwissenschaftliche Fakultät, 19. bis 21. September 2002 / Veranst.: Sportwissenschaftliche Fakultät der Universität Leipzig .... Veröffentlicht von Academia. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.