Spinal articulation exercise using an exercise ball enhances dynamic postural control

Purpose: We hypothesized that exercises that selectively utilize local muscles responsible for segmental movements of the spine might promote local muscle activity and dynamic postural balance. In this study, we examined the effects of selective local muscle exercises (spinal articulation exercise) on dynamic postural control in healthy subjects.

Methods: The effects of spinal articulation exercise were examined using a deflated exercise ball for the postural sway in healthy students who were assigned to an exercise or control group. The independent variable was the extent of exposure to selective local muscle exercise, and the dependent variable was dynamic postural control. A stabilometer, which measures dynamic postural control, was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the exercises. In addition, center of gravity movements were assessed using a Gravicorder G-620 stabilometer in which the subject was asked to shift their center of gravity between 2 circles on a computer monitor. Pre- and post-intervention dynamic postural control was statistically evaluated between the exercise group and control group using the Mann-Whitney test.

Results: The post-intervention average COUNTS were significantly higher in the exercise group than in the control group (p = 0.003, r = 0.78). ENV. AREA was significantly smaller in the exercise group than in the control group (p = 0.036, r = 0.54). Furthermore, LNG/COUNTS were significantly smaller in the exercise group than in the control group (p = 0.024, r = 0.58).

Conclusions: Spinal articulation exercise may be used to enhance the dynamic postural balance of healthy young adults.