Background: Poor muscle strength, balance, and functional mobility have predicted falls in older adults. Fall prevention guidelines recommend highly challenging balance training modes to decrease falls; however, it is unclear whether certain modes are more effective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether traditional balance training (BT), virtual reality balance training (VR), or combined exercise (MIX) relative to a waitlist control group (CON) would provoke greater improvements in strength, balance, and functional mobility as falls risk factor proxies for falls in older men. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that 8 weeks of MIX will provoke the greatest improvements in falls risk factors, followed by similar improvements after BT and VR, relative to the CON. Study Design: Single-blinded randomized controlled trial NCT02778841 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier). Level of Evidence: Level 2. Methods: In total, 64 community-dwelling older men (age 71.8 ± 6.09 years) were randomly assigned into BT, VR, MIX, and CON groups and tested at baseline and at the 8-week follow-up. The training groups exercised for 40 minutes, 3 times per week, for 8 weeks. Isokinetic quadriceps and hamstrings strength on the dominant and nondominant legs were primary outcomes measured by the Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer. Secondary outcomes included 1-legged stance on firm and foam surfaces, tandem stance, the timed-up-and-go, and gait speed. Separate one-way analyses of covariance between groups were conducted for each outcome using baseline scores as covariates. Results: (1) MIX elicited greater improvements in strength, balance, and functional mobility relative to BT, VR, and CON; (2) VR exhibited better balance and functional mobility relative to BT and CON; and (3) BT demonstrated better balance and functional mobility relative to CON. Conclusion: The moderate to large effect sizes in strength and large effect sizes for balance and functional mobility underline that MIX is an effective method to improve falls risk among older adults. Clinical Relevance: This study forms the basis for a larger trial powered for falls.

Th e purpose of current study is investigating eff ect of Blood Flow Restriction Interval Training on aerobic performance among young football players during transition phase of periodization. Twenty eight young male football players were recruited in this study. Subjects were randomly divided into three groups: control, Normal Interval without Kaatsu, and Interval with Kaatsu. Exercise protocol was based on aerobic interval at 400 meters with maximum eff ort for 3 sets in per sessions (First week) and 4 set (Second week). Th e results shown that there is a signifi cant diff erence in aerobic power between groups p<0.05. Post hoc comparisons indicated that the mean of aerobic power was signifi cantly diff erent between all three groups. It has been shown, there is a signifi cant diff erence in rate of perceived exertion between groups at the p<0.05. Post hoc comparisons indicated that the mean of RPE was signifi cantly diff erent between groups. Th is study has been shown that aerobic power and RPE was improved by both normal and BFR interval method. We also found that there is not signifi cantly diff erence in NIWK and IWK group at rate of perceived exertion. Th is results may be explained by reducing intensity of exercise by subjects during exercise with BFR in cause of pain in their legs during exercise. Th e result of current study suggest that Intermediate-intensity, interval training with BFR improves aerobic capacity and RPE concurrently in young football players and prevent decline of VO2max at result of retraining at transition phase.

This study examined the effect of the handball warm-up program (HWP) on dynamic balance among elite adolescent handball players. In this case, 24 handball players were randomly assigned into experimental warm-up and control groups. The HWP was performed over 8 weeks (3 times per week). Dynamic balance before and after the intervention training programs were measured by the Biodex Balance System (BBS) and Y Balance test for the dominant (DL) and non-dominant legs (non-DL). After HWP training, BBS scores significantly improved in the overall (OSI) (30.4% and 31.1%), anterior-posterior (APSI) (44.6% and 35.2%), and medial-lateral stability indexes (MLSI) (38.8% and 43%) for both DL and non-DL. Post-training, the Y Balance test exhibited significant improvements in OSI (13.2% and 10.6%), anterior (17.2% and 12.6%), posteriolateral (12.8% and 11.3%), and posteriomedial stability indexes (9.2% and 7.9%) with DL and non-DL, respectively. In conclusion, dynamic balance improved overall after eight weeks of the HWP, with this improvement significantly greater with the trained versus the control group. Optimal balance during handball is an important factor to ensure coordinated and efficient movements and it is speculated that improved balance could positively impact injury prevention. Hence, the HWP program can be used as an alternative to a conventional warm-up program.