The effects of six weeks of neuromuscular training on pain, proprioception, and balance in female runners with shin splints

authors:

avatar saadatian saadatian , * , avatar Saeede Loghmani , avatar Omid Kezemi

Koomesh: Vol.25, issue 4; 466-473
published online: November 02, 2023
article type: Research Article
received: April 09, 2023
accepted: September 02, 2023

how to cite: saadatian S, Loghmani S, Kezemi O. The effects of six weeks of neuromuscular training on pain, proprioception, and balance in female runners with shin splints. koomesh. 2023;25(4):e152845. 

Abstract

Introduction: Although participating in sports activities has positive effects on people, it can lead to various injuries in athletes. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of neuromuscular exercises on pain, proprioception, and balance in female runners with shin splints. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 24 female runners with shin splints with an age range of 17 to 23 years were randomly divided into two control and experimental groups. In the pre-test, pain level, static and dynamic balance, and ankle proprioception were measured using a visual analog scale, stork balance test, Y balance test, and angle repositioning error test. Then, the subjects of the experimental group performed the exercises for 6 weeks. After completing the exercises, the post-test was performed similar to the pre-test. Results: The research results showed that after six weeks of neuromuscular exercises, there is a significant difference between the control and experimental groups in the post-test of pain, static and dynamic balance, and proprioception (P<0.05). Also, the results of the correlated t-test showed that there is a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test of pain, static and dynamic balance and proprioception after six weeks of neuromuscular exercises (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results obtained from the research, it is possible to suggest the use of neuromuscular exercises to reduce pain and improve balance and proprioception in female runners with shin splints.

References

  • 1.

    Emery CA, Roy TO, Whittaker JL, Nettel-Aguirre A, van Mechelen W. Neuromuscular training injury prevention strategies in youth sport: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med 2015; 49: 865-870.

  • 2.

    Lundberg Zachrisson A, Ivarsson A, Desai P, Karlsson J, Grau S. Athlete availability and incidence of overuse injuries over an athletics season in a cohort of elite Swedish athletics athletes-a prospective study. Inj Epidemiol 2020; 7: 1-10.

  • 3.

    Almeida SA, Trone DW, Leone DM, Shaffer RA, Patheal SL, Long K. Gender differences in musculoskeletal injury rates: a function of symptom reporting? Med Sci Sports Exerc 1999; 31: 1807-1812.

  • 4.

    Balochi RN, Ghiasi EA. A survey of lower extremity alignment in the athletes affected by shin splint. J Exerc Physiol Appl 2010; 6: 31-44.

  • 5.

    Newman P, Witchalls J, Waddington G, Adams R. Risk factors associated with medial tibial stress syndrome in runners: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Open access J Sports Med 2013; 4: 229-241.

  • 6.

    Winters M, Burr DB, van der Hoeven H, Condon KW, Bellemans J, Moen MH. Microcrack-associated bone remodeling is rarely observed in biopsies from athletes with medial tibial stress syndrome. J Bone Miner Metab 2019; 37: 496-502.

  • 7.

    Winters M, Bon P, Bijvoet S, Bakker EW, Moen MH. Are ultrasonographic findings like periosteal and tendinous edema associated with medial tibial stress syndrome? A case-control study. J Sci Med Sport 2017; 20: 128-133.

  • 8.

    Hamstra-Wright KL, Bliven KC, Bay C. Risk factors for medial tibial stress syndrome in physically active individuals such as runners and military personnel: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med 2015; 49: 362-369.

  • 9.

    Naderi A, Bagheri S. A review of the therapeutic and protective effects of kinesio taping and foot orthosis in patients with medial tibial stress syndrome. Sci J Rehab Med 2023; 12: 2-17.##https://doi.org/10.32598/SJRM.12.1.13.

  • 10.

    Guo S, Liu P, Feng B, Xu Y, Wang Y. Efficacy of kinesiology taping on the management of shin splints: a systematic review. Phys Sportsmed 2022; 50: 369-377.

  • 11.

    Emery CA, Pasanen K. Current trends in sport injury prevention. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2019; 33: 3-15.

  • 12.

    Hbscher M, Zech A, Pfeifer K, Hnsel F, Vogt L, Banzer W. Neuromuscular training for sports injury prevention: a systematic review. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010; 42: 413-421.

  • 13.

    Bonato M, Benis R, La Torre A. Neuromuscular training reduces lower limb injuries in elite female basketball players. A cluster randomized controlled trial. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2018; 28: 1451-1460.

  • 14.

    Chapman AR, Hodges PW, Briggs AM, Stapley PJ, Vicenzino B. Neuromuscular control and exercise-related leg pain in triathletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010; 42: 233-243.

  • 15.

    Newman P, Witchalls J, Waddington G, Adams R. Risk factors associated with medial tibial stress syndrome in runners: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Open Access J Sports Med 2013; 4: 229.

  • 16.

    Hubbard TJ, Carpenter EM, Cordova ML. Contributing factors to medial tibial stress syndrome: a prospective investigation. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009; 41: 490-496.

  • 17.

    Benner D, Dixon E, Plumley T. The effectiveness of active release therapy on medial tibial stress syndrome. Logan University [internet]. Junio 2011.

  • 18.

    Rahimi N, Raeisi H. The prevalence of low back pain and its correlation with functional disability, quality of life, and body mass index in military staff. 2015.

  • 19.

    Mohammadinia Samakosh H, Shojaedin SS, Hadadnezhad M. Comparison of effect of hopping and combined balance-strength training on balance and lower extremity selected muscles strength of soccer men with chronic ankle instability. J Gorgan Univ Med Sci 2019; 21: 69-78. (Persian).

  • 20.

    Hamed BS, Aliasghar N. The effect of neuromuscular training program on landing position, balance, range of motion and strength of selected lower limb muscles in athletes with Dynamic Knee Valgus defect. Iran Rehabil J 2021; 8: 45-57.

  • 21.

    Beyranvand R, Sahebozamani M, Daneshjoo A. The role of ankle and knee joints proprioceptive acuity in improving the elderly balance after 8-week aquatic exercise. Iran J Ageing 2018; 13: 372-383.##https://doi.org/10.32598/sija.13.3.372.

  • 22.

    Mendez-Rebolledo G, Figueroa-Ureta R, Moya-Mura F, Guzmn-Muoz E, Ramirez-Campillo R, Lloyd RS. The protective effect of neuromuscular training on the medial tibial stress syndrome in youth female track-and-field athletes: A clinical trial and cohort study. J Sport Rehab 2021; 30: 1019-1027.

  • 23.

    Shamsi Majelan A, Fadaei Dehcheshmeh T. A Review on the epidemiology of Medial tibial stress syndrome injuries and the effect of stretching and strength exercise on its improvement (systematic review study). Razi J Med Sci 2020; 26: 78-90. (Persian).

  • 24.

    Fogarty S. Massage treatment and medial tibial stress syndrome; A commentary to provoke thought about the way massage therapy is used in the treatment of MTSS. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2015; 19: 447-452.

  • 25.

    Corts Gonzlez RE. Successful treatment of medial tibial stress syndrome in a collegiate athlete focusing on clinical findings and kinesiological factors contributing to pain. Physiother Theory Pract 2020; 1-8.

  • 26.

    Newsham, K.R., M.D. Beekley, and C.A. Lauber, A neuromuscular intervention for exercise-related medial leg pain. JSR, 2012. 21(1): p. 54-62.

  • 27.

    Behm, D.G., K. Anderson, and R.S. Curnew, Muscle force and activation under stable and unstable conditions. J. Strength Cond, 2002. 16(3): p. 416-422.

  • 28.

    Yksel O, zgrbz C, Ergn M, legen , Taskiran E, Denerel N, Ertat A. Inversion/eversion strength dysbalance in patients with medial tibial stress syndrome. J Sports Sci Med 2011; 10: 737.

  • 29.

    Barton CJ, Bonanno DR, Carr J, Neal BS, Malliaras P, Franklyn-Miller A, Menz HB. Running retraining to treat lower limb injuries: a mixed-methods study of current evidence synthesised with expert opinion. Br J Sports Med 2016; 50: 513-526.

  • 30.

    Murphy DF, Connolly DA, Beynnon BD. Risk factors for lower extremity injury: a review of the literature. Br J Sports Med 2003; 37: 13-29.

  • 31.

    Nilstad A, Andersen TE, Bahr R, Holme I, Steffen K. Risk factors for lower extremity injuries in elite female soccer players. Am J Sports Med 2014; 42: 940-948.

  • 32.

    McGill S. Core training: Evidence translating to better performance and injury prevention.. J Strength Cond 2010; 32: 33-46.##https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0b013e3181df4521.

  • 33.

    Hodges PW, Cresswell AG, Daggfeldt K, Thorstensson A. Three dimensional preparatory trunk motion precedes asymmetrical upper limb movement. Gait Posture 2000; 11: 92-101.

  • 34.

    Borghuis J, Hof AL, Lemmink KA. The importance of sensory-motor control in providing core stability. Sports Med 2008; 38: 893-916.

  • 35.

    Earl JE, Hoch AZ. A proximal strengthening program improves pain, function, and biomechanics in women with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Am J Sports Med 2011; 39: 154-163.

  • 36.

    Sievers M. The relationship between lower extremity range of motion, balance, and single-leg hop with prior incidence and occurrence of shin splints in collegiate runners. 2020.

  • 37.

    Sedaghati P, Zolghare H, Shahbazi M. The effect of proprioceptive, vestibular and visual changes on posture control among the athletes with and without medial tibial stress syndrome. Feyz 2019; 23: 68-74. (Persian).

  • 38.

    Goble DJ, Coxon JP, Van Impe A, Geurts M, Van Hecke W, Sunaert S, et al. The neural basis of central proprioceptive processing in older versus younger adults: an important sensory role for right putamen. Hum Brain Mapp 2012; 33: 895-908.

  • 39.

    Taira T, Hori T. The role of neurosurgical interventions for control of spasticity in neurorehabilitation: new findings on functional microanatomy of the tibial nerve. Acta Neurochir Suppl 2003; 87: 103-105.

  • 40.

    Jam B. Evaluation and retraining of the intrinsic foot muscles for pain syndromes related to abnormal control of pronation. Adv Phys Ther Educ Inst 2006; 21: 1-8.

  • 41.

    Pollock RD, Woledge RC, Martin FC, Newham DJ. Effects of whole body vibration on motor unit recruitment and threshold. J Appl Physiol 2012; 112: 388-395.

  • 42.

    Torvinen S, Kannus P, Sievnen H, Jrvinen TA, Pasanen M, Kontulainen S, et al. Effect of four-month vertical whole body vibration on performance and balance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2002; 34: 1523-1528.

  • 43.

    Patel M, Gomez S, Lush D, Fransson PA. Adaptation and vision change the relationship between muscle activity of the lower limbs and body movement during human balance perturbations. J Clin Neurophysiol 2009; 120: 601-609.

  • 44.

    Mahdi Abadi F, Bagheri S, Hosseini Y. The efficacy of diaphragmatic breathing practice on respiratory function, balance, and quality of life in elderly women. Koomesh 2022; 24: 575-583. (Persian).

  • 45.

    Mogharrabi-Manzari M., Ghasemi Kahrizsangi G, Negahban H. Comparison of eight-weeks shoulder girdle, pelvic girdle and combined corrective exercises on balance in upper crossed syndrome. Koomesh 1400; 23: 510-519. (Persian).##https://doi.org/10.52547/koomesh.23.4.510.

  • 46.

    Manafi H, Aminianfar A. Effect of whole body vibration on ankle joint proprioception and balance in patients with diabetic neuropathy. Koomesh 1401; 24: 347-357. (Persian).

  • 47.

    Kibler WB, Press J, Sciascia A. The role of core stability in athletic function. Sports Med 2006; 36: 189-198.