Document Type : Original article
Authors
1
Associate Professor, Department of Sports Injury and Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Sports Injury and Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Iran
3
MSc. Student in Sports Injury and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Iran
4
MSc. Sports Injury and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Iran
10.22037/sjrm.2025.117457.3373
Abstract
Background and Aims: Balance is an integral aspect of daily movement and a fundamental component of human motor function, often compromised in individuals with skeletal abnormalities. This study aimed to investigate the effects of six weeks of balance training using a balance board and Thera-band exercises on static and dynamic balance in male students aged 9–12 years with genu valgum.
Materials and Methods: Thirty male students (mean age 10.34 ± 1.1 years; height 137.83 ± 6.41 cm; weight 36.57 ± 5.17 kg; BMI 19.14 ± 1.35 kg/m²) with no history of lower limb injuries were randomly assigned to three groups (n=10 each): balance board training, Thera-band exercises, and a control group. Static and dynamic balance were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Stork Balance Stand Test and Star Excursion Balance Test, respectively. The deformity was diagnosed using inter-malleolar (IM) and inter-condylar (IC) distances, with IM > 3 cm indicating genu valgum .The intervention lasted six weeks, with three 60-minute sessions per week. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, repeated measures ANOVA, ANCOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc tests at α ≤ 0.05.
Results: post-intervention, both the balance board and Thera-band groups demonstrated significant improvements in static balance compared to controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, the balance board group showed significantly greater gains in static balance than the Thera-band group (p < 0.05). For dynamic balance, both intervention groups exhibited significant increases in reach distances across all eight directions relative to controls (p < 0.05), with no significant difference observed between the two exercise groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that both balance board training and Thera-band exercises effectively enhance static and dynamic balance in male children with genu valgum. These modalities are recommended as practical interventions to improve balance in this population.
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