A STUDY TO COMPARE THE EFFECT OF SINGLE TASK EXERCISES VS DUAL TASK EXERCISES FOR IMPROVING BALANCE AND GAIT AMONG NON-ELITE FOOTBALL PLAYERS WITH POST- CONCUSSION SYNDROME

Manjula S.*, Dr. P. Senthil Selvam and P. Sujitha

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Football is a popular sport in India. Non-elite football players would have long term impact on gait and balance after the withdrawal of post-concussion symptoms. AIM: To compare the effect of single task exercises vs dual task exercises for improving balance and gait among non-Elite football players with post-concussion syndrome. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:  To assess the effect of single task exercises for improving balance and gait among non elite football players with post-concussion syndrome.  To assess the effect of dual task exercises for improving balance and gait among non elite football players with post-concussion syndrome.  To compare the effect of single task exercises vs dual task exercises for improving balance and gait among non-elite football players with post-concussion syndrome. PROCEDURE: In this experimental study, 30 subjects were selected according to the inclusion criteria and were randomly divided into 2 groups- Group A and B. Baseline assessment was taken in the form of SCAT-5 (Sports Concussion Assessment Tool-5) for the subjects diagnosed and referred by physician after which the pre test of balance and gait parameters of the subjects were assessed using the Star Excursion Test and Foot print method. Group A subjects were given single task exercises and Group B were given dual task exercises for 6 weeks (5 days per week for 30 minutes). Post-test balance and gait assessment was done using the Star Excursion Test and Foot print method. RESULT: Statistical analysis was done using Wilcoxon signed rank test which showed a significant improvement in post-test assessment of balance for right and left leg stance in both Group A and group B subjects (p<0.05). Comparison of post-test mean values of Group A and B subjects, showed improvement in the balance of Group B than group A. Comparison of pre-test and post-test values after single task exercise program showed significant improvement in cadence and step length gait parameters (p<0.05) while stride length and walking speed gait parameters did not show significant improvement (p>0.05) in Group A, while comparison of pre-test and post-test values after dual task exercise program showed significant improvement in all the gait parameters in Group B. Comparison of post-test mean values of Group A and Group B subjects showed improvement in the gait parameters in Group B than group A. CONCLUSION: From this study, it can be concluded that dual task exercises have significant effect on balance and gait among non-elite football players with post-concussion syndrome.

Keywords: concussion, star excursion test, foot print method, single task exercise, dual task exercise, non-elite football players.