Balance and Proprioception Intervention Program to Improve Combat Readiness and Prevent Musculoskeletal Injuries

Background: Combat soldiers require stability and balance in order to perform operational activities such as movement on rocky terrain, rapid disembarking from a vehicle, etc. High proprioception is crucial in maintaining the stability of the ankle joint, especially while bearing weight, which in turn reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injury.

Methods: In an intervention study lasting four weeks, 35 soldiers were randomly distributed to an intervention group (n=18) and a control group (n=17). The intervention program consisted of graded proprioception exercises on unstable surfaces. The control group performed upper body flexibility exercises. The intervention group practiced five days per week, twice a day for five minutes each. The control group practiced the same protocol of times. Pre- and post-intervention, all soldiers were tested for dynamic balance while walking on a military balance beam and for static postural balance (measured by accelerometer) while standing on one leg in three conditions: 1) on a stable surface with eyes open; 2) on a stable surface with eyes closed; 3) on an unstable surface.

Results: An interaction (3 conditions X 2 Groups X pre-post) was found for static balance, indicating better improvement among the intervention group compared to controls from pre- to post-test. No significant interaction was found for dynamic balance.

Discussion and Conclusion: The four-week intervention program for proprioception and balance improves static balance on stable and unstable surfaces. Nevertheless, the influence of that program on dynamic balance needs some further research.