Posture control using Posturalcare support^®

By definition, proprioception is the sense of one’s own body position in the gravitational field, of the reciprocal position and of the movement of each single body part. This is possible thanks to the presence of specific receptors that are sensitive to body and body parts posture variations. These receptors send signals to particular brain areas. Proprioceptors are nervous receptors responsible for proprioception; proprioceptors include muscle spindles, muscle-tendon corpuscles and the free nervous ends located near the joints.
In order to manage instability situations, our body can use different strategies. Other than a useful prevention and rehabilitation tool, proprioceptivity can be inserted in a work context for the enhancement of neuromuscular function.
It is therefore possible to carry out a type of functional training on unstable surfaces, creating circuits suitable for the preset goal that contain the different variations of exercises proposed.

For this purpose we propose multi-station circuits that offer, other than the use of isotonic machines, motor concatenations with the use of tables, disks and supports with unstable surfaces, small trampolines, obstacles and plynths adjustable in height.

Prior to assembling such a complex circuit, we propose, in an analytical manner, a didactic progression using supports and tables with unstable surfaces, paying particular attention to form, balance and postural control.

Exercises with Posturalcare support^®

Below is a REGULAR SQUAT viewed from the front (Fig. 1) as well as from the side (Fig. 2).

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

It is possible to alter the position of the arms, as shown in Figures 3 to 5.

Fig. 3a	Fig. 3b
Fig. 4a	Fig. 4b
Fig. 5a	Fig. 5b

POSTURALCARE support^® LARGE (measures 38 x 39 x 14h cm) and is an unstable support; it is possible to work on 2 different surfaces and 2 different axis (prone/supine position and flexion-extension of the tibiotarsal joint) according to the preset goals. All exercises proposed above can also be performed using the support in a different position.

Fig. 6a

Fig. 6b

It is possible to invent new exercises that progressively take the user from the orthostatic position to floor work (prone or supine decubitus on the elbows or on the extended arms).

Fig. 7	Fig. 8
Fig. 9

The pictures below illustrate lunges with 3 variations of position of the arms: arms extended along the body (Fig. 7), arms extended to the sides at 90° (Fig. 8) and arms up at 180° (Fig. 9).

Fig. 10

Fig. 11

It is also possible to create mixed sensorial series of exercises using smaller supports, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. In this case, the pictures show a series of lunges using POSTURALCARE support^® SMALL (measuring 15 x 12 x 5h cm). It is possible to invent variables using instruments such as a football, a basketball, a tennis ball, a volleyball… It is possible to introduce propedeutic gestures typical of these sports, such as a shooting a basketball or passing the ball to a soccer player.
The pictures below illustrate the half-squat position (Fig. 12a-12b).

Fig. 12a

Fig. 12b

The exercise consists in switching between positions (all 4 of them) as fast as possible, exactly the way it would happen in a basketball game, for instance.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Prof. Paolo Cudia, athletic trainer of Primavera Udinese and coordinator of the athletic-motor area of the junior team.
Dr. Daniele Bastiancig, Sports Science, athletic trainer of the Udinese junior team.
Dr. Diego Bragato, Sports Science, coach and teacher for the Italian Cycling Federation.
Dr. Lucio Marrone, Sports Science, expert in postural ergonomics.
Dr. Alessandro De Guidi, Movement Science, assistant athletic trainer of the Primavera Udinese.