Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of session intensity (number of slip exposures)
and frequency on the retention of acquired adaptation for prevention of backward
balance loss after repeated-slip training. DESIGN: A 4-group, randomized, and
controlled study. SETTING: Biomechanics research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS:
Healthy young subjects (N=46; 21 men). INTERVENTIONS: Twenty-four subjects
experienced a high-intensity session of 24 repeated right-side slips; 12 received
additional single-slip sessions at a frequency of 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month,
whereas the rest got no ancillary training. Another 24 subjects received a
low-intensity initial session of a single slip; 12 received the same
high-frequency ancillary training, whereas the rest got none. All groups were
retested with a single slip 4 months after the first session. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: The incidence of backward balance loss, gait stability, and limb
support. RESULTS: The high-intensity groups, irrespective of ancillary training,
displayed similar improvements in all 3 outcome measures. Remarkably, the
low-intensity group receiving ancillary training also significantly improved in
all measures, with retention comparable to that observed in the other 2 groups. A
single-slip exposure without ancillary sessions was insufficient to yield a
longer-term effect. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent ancillary sessions may be unnecessary
for slip-related fall prevention up to 4 months if the initial session intensity
is sufficient. Furthermore, the minimum of a single slip may be as effective if
the subject is exposed to frequent ancillary sessions.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Tiré à part : OUI