Background/Purpose Proprioception is a skill which can be improved through specific motor skill activities. It is often overlooked based on its autonomic response and considered one of the most evolutionary senses the human body possesses. The purpose to this study was to determine if a wobble device could improve proprioceptive stability scores on enrolled health and wellness students.
Method A one group pre-test/post-test design (n=24) was selected for the protocol. All subjects were assessed pre and post stability scores via computerized posturography (Bertec Inc., Columbus, OH) to determine Center of Pressure (CoP) balance scores through the use of a perturbed surface with their eyes open and eyes closed. The group practiced on a wobble device twice a week for 20 minutes, for 5 consecutive weeks. A dependent t-test (p < .05) was used to determine any significance occurred between eyes open and eyes closed stability scores.
Analysis/Results The group did show significant improvement in balance scores with the eyes open (.012 sd+ .16) and eyes closed (.006 sd+ .40) after 5 weeks of balance training. Based on the data collected, 20 minutes of balancing training, twice a week for 5 weeks did show significant improvements in proprioception with the eyes open and the eyes closed on a perturbed surface.
Conclusions This study has demonstrated that unstable devices such as wobble boards can be effective for improving proprioceptive responses in college aged students.