Improvement of lower-extremity stability by rotational leg press training.

<bold>Backgrounds: </bold>Previous reports revealed that balance and stability are essential for human physical activity. The present study aimed to evaluate the comparative outcome of a novel beginning movement load training (BMLT) versus conventional leg press training in terms of improvement of lower-extremity stability.<bold>Research Question: </bold>Does the leg press training improve the stability of lower extremities?<bold>Methods: </bold>Twenty adult, asymptomatic and active amateur basketball players were enrolled in this study and randomized in equal numbers into a BMLT group (study group) and a conventional leg press training group (control group).<bold>Results: </bold>The results after eight-week course of training showed that conventional leg press training had an opposite effect on dynamic stability in the left leg (p = 0.015) and backward movement of the right leg (p = 0.038). The athletes in the study group revealed superior dynamic stability maintenance in both legs backwards (p = 0.001), the left leg (p = 0.013), the right leg backwards (p = 0.022) and overall stability (p = 0.002).<bold>Significance: </bold>The study group showed better postural stability in terms of the medial/lateral index (p = 0.017), and the athletes in the control group exhibited a significant inability to maintain postural stability in the medial/lateral aspect after the training (p = 0.016). Rotational BMLT lower-extremity press training yielded superior enhancement of dynamic stability and maintenance of center of gravity and postural stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]