Investigation of the Effect of Vertimax V 8 Elastic Resistance Platform and Classic Strength Training on Dynamic Balance in Basketball Players

This study aimed to investigate the effects on the dynamic balance of two different resistance training in male basketball players. 25 male basketball players who were over 18 participated in the study voluntarily. Participants were divided into two groups by using random sampling method as VertiMax strength training group and traditional strength training group (VertiMax, n=13; classic, n=12). Both training programs were administered 3 times a day for 6 weeks. In standing position, the dynamic balance values recorded on the right and left foot for 60 seconds were assessed by using EasyTech Libra Oscillating balance board. The scores used in the assessments were IBP (index of balance precision), recovery time right (return time of the visual helix balance from right side), and recovery time left (return time of the visual helix balance from left side). All tests were performed with visual feedback. Statistical analysis used three-factor mixed ANOVA. At the end of the training period, IBP (index of balance precision), recovery time right (return time of the visual helix balance from right side), recovery time left (return time of the visual helix balance from left side) showed that dynamic balance scores were similar in the VertiMax and classic training groups for right and left feet. VertiMax group in dynamic balance, the changes in IBP and recovery time right scores were found to be better. In both training groups, when the recovery time right values of the right and left feet were compared at the end of the process, it was seen that the rotation time from the right side of the visual helix motion area of the left leg was shorter (p<0.05). The results show that the VertiMax strength training included in the pre-season exercises positively affects participants’ balance performance.


Introduction
Basketball is a sport that requires speed, agility, upper and lower body strength, maximal aerobics and aerobic resistance (Borowski et al., 2008).During the game, it is seen that different kinds of activity and movement patterns, fast and frequent runs, deflections and jumps are displayed every 2 seconds during the game (McInnes et al.,1995).
In basketball, different approaches to balance as well as biomotor abilities should be taken into consideration, because balance is among the most important coordination skills for basketball (Kostopoulos et al., 2012).
Balance is usually an effective component of athletic activity.Therefore, besides the possible decrease in injuries, it can increase athletic performance with the support of neuromuscular training programs and support the improvement of motor control (McLeod et al., 2009).Balance is an indispensable part of many actions and affects movement ability.Balance control is a complex motor ability that entails planning and performing flexible movement forms as well as the integration of sensory inputs (Ferdjallah et al., 2002).It has a considerable impact on performance in sports activities.Balance also contributes to the prevention of injuries and rehabilitation process.The measurement of balance is effective in the clinical assessment of locomotor functions (Hahn et al., 1999).
In basketball, strength is a dominant biomotor ability in competitions.The ability to generate lower body explosive power is accepted as an important factor in sports activities and can be considered as the expression of the amount of performance displayed in a specific time period (Kaya et al., 2018).Speed and strength stand out in change of direction, acceleration, jump and sprint performances in many sportive actions (Holcomb et al., 1996).Although specific resistance training is important, general strength training increases body mass and contribute to the decrease of injury risk and developing core stability.Hypertrophy and general strength exercises can enhance performance, but specific exercise programs should be preferred for optimal transfer from training (Young, 2006).In addition to general strength training, plyometric training is also widely used as a common characteristic of team plays (Shiner et al., 2005).Besides, it has been indicated that strength training elicits a significant increase in static and dynamic balance (Perrin et al., 1999;Paterno & Myer, 2004;Warren et al., 2010).In their study to investigate whether static and dynamic balance vary across different sports, Bressel et al. (2007) found that static and dynamic balance scores did not differ in gymnasts and soccer players, however basketball players displayed lower static balance compared with gymnasts and lower dynamic balance compared with soccer players Bressel et al. (2007).
It is reported that VertiMax training model that provides resistance as a specific strength exercise to improve lower body power and vertical jump performance also has the capability to generate power via resisted shoulder flexion during jumps by creating resistance (Carlson et al., 2009).In their study comparing the VertiMax training model and traditional models for power and conditioning, Rhea et al. state that the Vertimax training model increases vertical jump and lower extremity power (Rhea et al., 2008).
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of traditional strength training and loaded jump training using the VertiMax on dynamic balance.

Study Group
25 male basketball players who were over 18 participated in the study voluntarily.The athletes were randomly divided into two groups: traditional strength training group (classic, n=13) and VertiMax training group (VertiMax, n=12).Height, weight and age of the basketball players in the VertiMax group was as follows: 191.77±9.23 cm, 92.38±12.04kg, and 22.62±1.45years while the height, weight and age of the athletes in the classic group were 190.88±9.32cm, 90.4±11.71kg, and 22.84±1.46years, respectively.All of the participants volunteered to take part in the study and training groups were selected through random sampling method.
The day before the assessments, the participants were informed about the test and were told that the tests would cause no problems for their health.The study implemented pre-test and post-test protocol.Pre-test assessments were performed 72 hours before initiating the training protocols, and after that, training protocols were implemented.During training, no measurement was taken.Post-test measurements were performed within the week when the training protocol was completed.The participants attended the training protocol on a regular basis and none of them missed a training session.
The participants were asked to continue their routine diet throughout the study, and no participant took ergogenic aids that could affect training and assessment results or cause a change in performance.48 hours before test days, the participants stopped to take food or liquid supplements containing alcohol, caffeine or intense stimulants.While all the participants had basketball background, they followed only the specified training protocol throughout the study.

Assessment of Dynamic Balance
To measure dynamic balance stability, the Libra oscillating balancing board manufactured by EasyTech (a computer set placed on a platform with 43 cm length, 42 cm width and 65 cm height) was used.The testing stand comprised two elements.The system is completed by connecting the balancing board to EasyTech 2.2001-2.0 computer software with a USB interface.EasyTech 2.2001-2.0software interface computes four parameters depending on swing in a balanced position (Figure 1).Total Area: the area within the movement path line that the subject maintains balance.External Area: the area outside the movement path line that the subject is not on the balance line.External Time: the period of time when the subject is outside the balance line.Recovery Time: the period of time when the subject is outside the balance line area and returns from right and left sides back to the balance line.

Statisti
The three-As descrip 20 softwar  The results of the study demonstrated that each training protocol improved balance skills positively.However, the VertiMax group proved more efficient in balance development.A review of the relevant literature on the VertiMax suggests that it is described as an elastic resistance device (McClenton, 2008).It is seen that devices providing elastic resistance like the VertiMax usually develop athletes' jumping skills more than the classic methods.That is because athletes add extra load to stretch-shortening cycle that actively works during jumping (Hrysomallis, 2012).In our study, the training program administered to the VertiMax training group was similar to plyometric training in terms of kinematics.

For Re
In a study conducted in 2015, Asadi et al. examined the impact of plyometric type training on postural control and balance.The study was conducted on male basketball players.At the end of the study, Asadi et al. stated that plyometric type training had positive impacts on balance and postural control (Asadi, 2015).Similar studies in literature also indicate the positive impact of plyometric type training on balance (Myer, 2006;Arazi, 2011;Ramírez-Campillo, 2015).Movements in dynamic kinematic structures like plyometric constantly create feedback in afferent nervous system during landing, jumping and falls, improving proprioception.In this case, balance development is expected (Cronin, 2003).
Mcleod et al. analysed the effects of a 6-week neuromuscular-training program including plyometric exercises on balance motor skill.The researchers identified significant changes in participants' dynamic balance at the end of the 6-week training program.The authors stated that particularly increased proprioceptive capabilities and positive improvements in balance were related (McLeod et al., 2009).Proprioception is the ability to sense the position, location and motion of joints in space.Proprioceptive stimuli are highly important for the functioning of sensorimotor structure.Information gathered from proprioceptors is crucial for both the beginning of motion and during motion as well as in conscious movements (Lönn, 2001).
It is known that VertiMax device has positive effects on strength and power parameters particularly in lower extremity during training (Carlson et al., 2009;Rhea et al., 2008).Strength is indicated as another parameter that affects balance.Balance is a complex skill and strength is one of the basic components of the sensorimotor function supporting mobility and stabilisation (Soyuer, 2006).Balance and equilibrium are achieved primarily thanks to the muscles providing joint stability.There is a relationship between muscle strength and equilibrium (Hammami, 2016).In their study conducted in 2017, Wilson et al. found strong relationship between hip abduction strength and Y Balance Test (Wilson, 2017).In this case, balance cannot be considered independent from the strength of muscles and muscle groups creating balance.
The result of this study revealed that 2 different types of resistance training improved dynamic balance.
Figure 1.Easy Fig