The effect of training program on 11 – 13 years old students’ dynamic balance while walking on a balance beam

Purpose: This study intended to the effect of exercise protocol on 11 – 13 years old students’ dynamic balance while walking on balance beam. Materials and Methods: 30 non-athlete male students were equally and randomly assigned to an experimental (weight: 400.43 ± 8.34; height: 148.20 ± 6.87) and a control group (weight: 425.56 ± 7.25; height: 148.46 ± 7.28). The experimental group participated in an eight week training program (handstand training). Before and after the training protocol, the students were asked to walk on a balance beam and their balance performance were measured and compared. Changes in the position of the shoulders, hip and ankles were measured through motion analysis device. For statistical analysis was used software SPSS 21 and independent and paired samples t-test analysis were run on the data at the 0.05 level of significance. Results: In between group analysis revealed significant differences between control and experimental group only in the case of position of shoulder (P = 0.02). In within group analysis significant differences were observed only in the position of ankle in the experimental group before and after the exercise protocol (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Overall, findings of the study indicate handstand balance exercise improve dynamic balance in upper extremity. Key Words: Dynamic balance, Handstand, Walking.