This randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of weight-bearing and static tilt training on functional fitness and postural modulation of the soleus H-reflex in young subjects. Thirty-one neurologically healthy volunteers (16 men and 15 women) between the ages of 18 and 34 years provided their written consent and were allocated into three groups as follows: Group A (weight-bearing group) wore wrist and ankle weights accounting for 10% of the subject's body weight for a total of 4 hours a day for five days ; Group B (static tilting group) performed passive tilting exercises from a standing to a supine position and vice versa for 5 times per set, 5 sets a day, for five days; and Group C acted as a control group. Posture control function was evaluated using a functional fitness test (four-item method: standing/sitting, walking, hand working and self-care working) the evoked soleus H-reflex under static postural conditions (supine and standing), and the total length of the center of pressure (COP) for 60 seconds with (V condition) or without visual inputs (NV condition) during upright standing. All four functional fitness items was improved significantly in all the three groups. No changes in the H-reflex ratio (standing/supine) or COP ratio (NV/V) were observed. Time and group interactions were observed only for walking time (P=0.07). The results indicated that either weight-bearing training or static tilt training is effective for improving functional fitness in young populations. Furthermore, increased proprioceptive inputs by sustained perturbation using additional weight-bearing or passive static tilt training may improve posture control function.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.27/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE