***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: Abstract The influence of a 12-week-proprioceptive training on functional ankle stability was investigated in young speed skaters . Twenty-eight speed skaters were r and omly divided into an intervention ( n = 14 ) and into a control group ( n = 14 ) . A 15-min circle training was performed 5 times per week over a 12-week period . Measurements were taken prior to the training , after 6 and 12 weeks of training . Kinaesthesia was evaluated with the Isomed2000 in all movements of the ankle joint . Dynamic balance was tested with the Biodex Stability System at the stable level 8 and at the unstable level 2 , measuring the overall stability index , the anterior/posterior and the medial/lateral scores . Static single-leg stance was evaluated using the Kistler force platform . Kinaesthesia of the intervention group improved significantly for plantarflexion of the right foot ( P = 0.001 ) after 12 weeks . Dynamic balance showed significant differences in the intervention group after 12 weeks in comparison with the first measurement for each foot in the overall stability index , the anterior/posterior and the medial/lateral scores ( P ≤ 0.017 , respectively ) at the unstable level 2 . Functional ankle stability improved in terms of dynamic balance after 12 weeks of proprioceptive training . Therefore , inclusion of proprioceptive exercises in the daily training programme is recommended for young speed skaters Background : Sport is the leading cause of injury requiring medical attention among adolescents . We studied the effectiveness of a home-based balance-training program using a wobble board in improving static and dynamic balance and reducing sports-related injuries among healthy adolescents . Methods : In this cluster r and omized controlled trial , we r and omly selected 10 of 15 high schools in Calgary to participate in the fall of 2001 . We then recruited students from physical education classes and r and omly assigned them , by school , to either the intervention ( n = 66 ) or the control ( n = 61 ) group . Students in the intervention group participated in a daily 6-week and then a weekly 6-month home-based balance-training program using a wobble board .  Students at the control schools received testing only . The primary outcome measures were timed static and dynamic balance , 20-m shuttle run and vertical jump , which were measured at baseline and biweekly for 6 weeks . Self-reported injury data were collected over the 6-month follow-up period . Results : At 6 weeks , improvements in static and dynamic balance were observed in the intervention group but not in the control group ( difference in static balance 20.7 seconds , 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] 10.8 to 30.6 seconds ; difference in dynamic balance 2.3 seconds , 95 % CI 0.7 to 4.0 seconds ) . There was evidence of a protective effect of balance training in over 6 months ( relative risk of injury 0.2 , 95 % CI 0.05 to 0.88 ) . The number needed to treat to avoid 1 injury over 6 months was 8 ( 95 % CI 4 to 35 ) . Interpretation : Balance training using a wobble board is effective in improving static and dynamic balance and reducing sports-related injuries among healthy adolescents The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 4-week balance training program on specified functional tasks . Thirty-six subjects ( age = 22.7 ± 2.10 years ; height = 168.30 ± 9.55 cm ; weight = 71.15 ± 16.40 kg ) were r and omly placed into control ( C ; n = 19 ) and experimental groups ( Tx ; n = 17 ) . The Tx group trained using a commercially available balance training device ( BOSU ) . Postural limits ( displacement and sway ) and functional task ( time on ball , shuttle run , and vertical jump ) were assessed during a pretest ( T1 ) , a posttest ( T2 ) , and 2 weeks posttraining ( T3 ) . Multivariate repeated measures analysis ( a = 0.05 ) revealed significant differences in time on ball , shuttle run , total sway , and fore/aft displacement after the exercise intervention ( T2 ) . T3 assessment revealed that total sway and time on ball remained controlled ; however , no other measures were retained . Balance training improved performance of selected sport-related activities and postural control measures , although it is unclear whether the effect of training would transfer to general functional enhancement Typically , balance training has been used as an intervention paradigm either as static or as reactive balance training . Possible differences in functional outcomes between the two modalities have not been profoundly studied . The objective of the study was to investigate the specificity of neuromuscular adaptations in response to two balance intervention modalities within test and intervention paradigms containing characteristics of both profiles : classical sensorimotor training ( SMT ) referring to a static ledger pivoting around the ankle joint vs. reactive balance training ( RBT ) using externally applied perturbations to deteriorate body equilibrium . Thirty-eight subjects were assigned to either SMT or RBT . Before and after four weeks of intervention training , postural sway and electromyographic activities of shank and thigh muscles were recorded and co-contraction indices ( CCI ) were calculated . We argue that specificity of training interventions could be transferred into corresponding test setting s containing properties of SMT and RBT , respectively . The results revealed that i ) postural sway was reduced in both intervention groups in all test paradigms ; magnitude of changes and effect sizes differed dependent on the paradigm : when training and paradigm coincided most , effects were augmented ( P<0.05 ) . ii ) These specificities were accompanied by segmental modulations in the amount of CCI , with a greater reduction within the CCI of thigh muscles after RBT compared to the shank muscles after SMT ( P<0.05 ) . The results clearly indicate the relationship between test and intervention specificity in balance performance . Hence , specific training modalities of postural control cause multi-segmental and context -specific adaptations , depending upon the characteristics of the trained postural strategy . In relation to fall prevention , perturbation training could serve as an extension to SMT to include the proximal segment , and thus the control of structures near to the body ’s centre of mass , into training The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between specific performance measures and  hockey skating speed . Thirty competitive secondary school and junior hockey players were timed for skating speed . Off-ice measures included a 40-yd ( 36.9-m ) sprint , concentric squat jump , drop jump , 1 repetition maximum leg press , flexibility , and balance ratio ( wobble board test ) . Pearson product moment correlations were used to quantify the relationships between the variables .  Electromyographic ( EMG ) activity  of the dominant vastus lateralis and biceps femoris was monitored in 12 of the players while skating , stopping , turning , and performing a change-of-direction drill . Significant correlations ( p < 0.005 ) were found between skating performance and the sprint and balance tests . Further analysis demonstrated significant correlations between balance and players under the age of 19 years ( r = −0.65 ) but not those over 19 years old ( r = −0.28 ) . The significant correlations with balance suggested that stability may be associated with skating speed in younger players . The low correlations with drop jumps suggested that short contact time stretch-shortening activities ( i.e. , low amplitude plyometrics ) may not be an important factor . Electromyographic activities illustrated the very high activation levels associated with maximum skating speed The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a soccer training session on the balance ability of the players and assess whether the effectiveness of a balance program is affected by its performance before or after the regular soccer training . Thirty-nine soccer players were r and omly divided into three subject groups ( n=13 each ) , one control group ( C group ) , one training group that followed a balance program ( 12 weeks , 3 times per week , 20 min per session ) before the regular soccer training ( TxB group ) , and one training group that performed the same balance program after the soccer training ( TxA group ) . St and ard testing balance boards and the Biodex Stability System were used to assess balance ability in the C , TxB , and TxA groups at baseline ( T0 ) and after completing the balance program ( T12 ) . The same tests and additional isokinetic knee joint moment measurements were carried out in the TxB and TxA groups pre- and post-soccer training . Two main results were obtained : ( 1 ) No differences ( p>0.05 ) were found in balance ability and knee joint moment production between pre- and post-soccer training . ( 2 ) The balance program increased ( p<0.01 ) the balance ability in the TxB and TxA groups , and the improvement in the TxA group was greater ( p<0.05 ) than that in the TxB group post-soccer training . Result ( 1 ) is in contrast to the notion of a link between fatigue induced by a soccer training session or game and injury caused by impaired balance , and result ( 2 ) has implication s for athletic training and rehabilitation BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Assessment of the quality of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) is common practice in systematic review s. However , the reliability of data obtained with most quality assessment scales has not been established . This report describes 2 studies design ed to investigate the reliability of data obtained with the Physiotherapy Evidence Data base ( PEDro ) scale developed to rate the quality of RCTs evaluating physical therapist interventions . METHOD In the first study , 11 raters independently rated 25 RCTs r and omly selected from the PEDro data base . In the second study , 2 raters rated 120 RCTs r and omly selected from the PEDro data base , and disagreements were resolved by a third rater ; this generated a set of individual rater and consensus ratings . The process was repeated by independent raters to create a second set of individual and consensus ratings . Reliability of ratings of PEDro scale items was calculated using multirater kappas , and reliability of the total ( summed ) score was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients ( ICC [ 1,1 ] ) . RESULTS The kappa value for each of the 11 items ranged from.36 to.80 for individual assessors and from.50 to.79 for consensus ratings generated by groups of 2 or 3 raters . The ICC for the total score was.56 ( 95 % confidence interval=.47-.65 ) for ratings by individuals , and the ICC for consensus ratings was.68 ( 95 % confidence interval=.57-.76 ) . DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The reliability of ratings of PEDro scale items varied from " fair " to " substantial , " and the reliability of the total PEDro score was " fair " to " good . Objectives : To compare the effect of a neuromuscular training program and a basic exercise program on postural control in figure skaters . Design : Two groups ; parallel design ; prospect i ve , r and omized controlled trial . Setting : Postural control laboratory , arenas , September 2001 to December 2002 . Participants : Forty-four young , healthy figure skaters ( 18 years ± 3 years ) . Interventions : Participants were r and omly assigned to receive a neuromuscular training program ( n = 22 ) or a basic exercise training program ( n = 22 ) . Both programs were completed 3 times per week for 4 weeks , and each session was supervised . Main Outcome Measurements : Participants completed baseline and postintervention measures of postural control on a force plate . Postural control was quantified as the center of pressure ( CoP ) path length during tests of single-limb st and ing balance that mimicked figure skating skills and challenged the postural control system to varying degrees . The primary outcome measure was the CoP path length observed during a l and ing jump test completed with eyes closed . Results : The post intervention CoP path lengths during the more challenging tests were significantly ( P < 0.05 ) lower ( indicating better postural control ) for the neuromuscular trained group than for the basic exercise-trained group . For the l and ing jump test completed with eyes closed , the percent improvement in the neuromuscular trained group was significantly greater ( mean = 21.0 ± 22.0 % ) than the basic exercise trained group ( mean = −4.9 ± 24.9 % ; P < 0.05 ) . The magnitude of improvement in the neuromuscular-trained group ranged from approximately 1 % to 21 % , depending on the specific postural control test used . Conclusions : The results suggest that off-ice neuromuscular training can significantly improve postural control in figure skaters , whereas basic exercise training does not Sensory motor training programs are used in the rehabilitation and prevention of injuries among soccer players . Inconsistencies are found in the literature regarding the duration of the protocol s and the exercises and equipment used . OBJECTIVE To evaluate the benefits of a five-week sensory motor training program on the functional performance and postural control of young soccer players . METHODS The study sample comprised 22 young male soccer players who were evaluated using : the Figure-of-Eight Test ( F8 ) , Side Hop Test ( SHT ) , Star Excursion Balance Test ( SEBT ) , and a force platform .  The players were r and omly divided into a control group ( N = 10 ) , who continued their soccer practice sessions and an intervention group ( N = 12 ) , who continued their soccer practice sessions and were also enrolled in a supervised five-week sensory motor training program . RESULTS After the five-week training program , the intervention group obtained significant results in the F8 , SHT and SEBT , as well as in the following parameters : area of pressure of sway center ( COP ) , mean velocity and mean frequency of COP . CONCLUSION The five-week sensory motor training program , carried out with easily available and low cost equipment , was effective at improving functional performance and postural control in young soccer players In young elite athletes the influence of a sensorimotor training ( SMT = balance training ) on strength , jump height and spinal reflex excitability was compared with adaptations induced by strength training ( ST ) .  Seventeen athletes were r and 
    Output:
    
However , our subgroup analyses did not reveal any statistically significant effects of the moderator variables age , sex , training status , setting and testing method on overall balance ( i.e. aggregation of static and dynamic balance ) .
BT-related effects in adolescents were moderate to large for measures of static ( SMDwm = 0.61 ) and dynamic ( SMDwm = 0.86 ) balance .
Conclusions BT is a highly effective means to improve balance performance with moderate to large effects on static and dynamic balance in healthy youth irrespective of age , sex , training status , setting and testing method .
The examined training modalities did not have a moderating effect on balance performance  in healthy adolescents .
Thus , we conclude that an additional but so far unidentified training modality may have a major effect on balance performance that was not assessed in our analysis .