The influence of a single core muscle workout on the level of static and dynamic balance in adults using the Sigma Balance Platform and the Y-Balance Platform

Background
Dynamic balance enables the body to cope with disturbances that may be caused by the external and internal environment. The tonic activity of the antigravity muscles (also referred to as core muscles) affects the center of gravity shifts. Balance improvement therapy uses exercises to balance the tension and strength of the core muscles, taking into account their concentric and eccentric actions.

Aim
The project aimed to determine whether a single workout that strengthens and stimulates deep core muscles, based on eccentric and concentric exercises, influences static and/or dynamic balance.

Material and methods
A group of 100 students (range of age: 19–26 years old) from the Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków (Poland) was qualified for the study based on the conducted survey determining the inclusion criteria. Finally, 50 subjects completed the 15-minute core muscle workout developed by the authors. Static and dynamic balance was tested directly before and after the workout. The control group included 50 individuals tested twice without participating in the training. Tests were conducted using two Y-Balance Test platforms (three planes of movement) and the Sigma balance platform.

Results
The analysis of the study revealed a statistically significant difference between the groups in the dynamic balance test for the medial movement of the right limb. No statistically significant differences were found for the results of static balance measurements: path length and point surface area. The analysis of the overall results for the two remaining planes in the dynamic balance test did not reveal any statistically significant differences between the control and the experimental groups.

Conclusions
Single core muscle workout does not influence static balance, but it impacts the dynamic balance, improving the posteromedial direction results, and therefore may be useful as an introduction to coordination exercises in working with patients with balance disorders. This can allow the proper muscles to work more efficiently, increasing their strength and muscle mass.