Effect of Intensive Ankle Training Using Biofeedback on Normal Adults’ Ability to Control Weight Distribution

Objective: The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether intensive ankle training using biofeedback to increase proprioceptive senses and ankle-joint muscle strength effectively improves the balance of normal adults. Method: This study included 20 voluntary participants with normal adults. The subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: the biofeedback intensive ankle training group (n=10) and the ankle training group (n=10). The biofeedback group used a visual biofeedback program. Subjects of the group that underwent ankle training only tried to keep their bodies balanced as well as possible on an Aero-Step. Both groups performed the exercise equally for three 30-minute sessions weekly for six weeks. The differences between the measurements before and after the experiment were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze the differences in variations between the groups. Results: The biofeedback group showed significant differences in the weight distributions A, B, C, D, LEFT, and HEEL and on the weight-distribution index. In contrast, the ankle training group showed significant differences in the weight distributions A, C, and LEFT. A comparison of the differences between the two groups found significant differences between them in the weight distributions A, B, C, D, LEFT, and HEEL. Conclusion: The biofeedback group showed a greater ability to control weight distribution. A longer experimental period involving more subjects would aid in developing exercise programs that are more diverse.