Effect of core stability training on static and dynamic balance and strength in disabled veterans with unilateral below knee amputation

Abstract

Aim(s) Individuals with lower extremity amputation have more difficulties than healthy people in static and dynamic balance. The significant effect of core stability training in different subjects has proven in previous studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of core stability training on static and dynamic balance and strength on disabled veterans with unilateral below knee amputation. Materials & Methods This semi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design and control group was carried out on 36 disabled veterans with unilateral below knee amputation in Mashhad city in 2018. The subjects were selected by the purposive sampling method and the subjects were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups (N=18). After measuring the static and dynamic balance and strength variables, core stability training was performed for the subjects of the experimental group for 8 weeks and 3 sessions per week under the supervision of the researcher. Then, the research variables were again evaluated in two groups. Data were analyzed through SPSS 19 software using independent and paired sample t-tests. Findings There was a significant difference between the mean scores of post-test and pretest in the experimental group (p<0.0001), but there was no significant difference between the mean scores of the posttest and pretest in the control group (p>0.05). Also, there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the post-test step (p<0.0001). Conclusion The offered training can be effective in the balance, strength and core stability in people with unilateral lower limb amputation and can improve their balance.