Abstract—This study examined the effects of neuromuscular training (NT) on limits of stability (LOS) in female individuals. Twenty female basketball amateurs were assigned into NT experimental group or control group by volunteer. All the players were underwent regular basketball practice, 90 minutes, 3 times per week for 6 weeks, but the NT experimental group underwent extra NT with plyometric and core training, 50 minutes, 3 times per week for 6 weeks during this period. Limits of stability (LOS) were evaluated by the Biodex Balance System. One factor ANCOVA was used to examine the differences between groups after training. The significant level for statistic was set at p<.05. Results showed that the right direction LOS scores at level 3 indicated a significant interaction between the trained/untrained groups × pre/post repeated measures with post-training scores higher than pre-training scores in the NT experimental group. The study demonstrated that Six weeks NT can improve the postural stability in young female individuals. Keywords—Balance control, neuromuscular control and posture stability. I.INTRODUCTION ASKETBALL is a high-intensity; aggressive body contact game of an intermittent nature, requiring frequent changes in movement, and it includes sprints, jumps, and quick stops. Several studies support the use of interventions such as neuromuscular training (NT) programs to reduce the incidence of lower extremity injuries [1]-[3]. The most effective programs emphasize several common components, including plyometric training in combination with biomechanical feedback and technique training [4], [5]. Implementation of a NT that focuses on core stability exercises is advocated to prevent lower extremity injury, namely in female athletes who have deficits in trunk proprioception and neuromuscular control [6]. Importantly, poor core stability and decreased muscular synergy of the trunk and hip stabilizers have been theorized to decrease performance in power activities and to increase the Yen-Ting Wang is with the Graduate Institute of Athletics and Coaching Science, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan County 333, Taiwan (R.O.C.) (e-mail: maruko0708@gmail.com). Yu-Tien Tsai is with the Department of Physical Education, National HsinChu University of Education, HsinChu City 300, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Tzuhui A. Tseng is with the Department of Environmental and Cultural Resources, National HsinChu University of Education, HsinChu City 300, Taiwan (R.O.C.). I-Tsun Chiang is with the National ChangHua University of Education, Changhua City 500, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Alex J.Y. Lee, corresponding author, is with the National HsinChu University of Education, HsinChu City 300, Taiwan (R.O.C.) He is now Professor in the department of Physical Education (e-mail: jylee@ nhcue.edu.tw). incidence of injury secondary to lack of control of the center of mass, especially in female athletes [1], [7]. Comprehensive NT programs designed for young women may significantly increase power, strength, and neuromuscular control and decrease gender differences in these measures [8]. Targeted NT is designed to reduce injury risk, and include interventions that focus on increased control of the center of mass. As the center of mass moves away from the base of support, there is an increased potential for biomechanical deviations to occur in the lower extremity. An improved ability to control this movement has the potential to decrease excessive forces on the lower extremity and ultimately decrease injury risk [6]. Postural control involves a dynamic system of neuromuscular activity, biomechanical interactions, and sensory feedback loops that are used in synchrony to manipulate the orientation of the body’s various segments and generate appropriate interaction with the environment. Postural stability is one facet of postural control that can be defined as the ability to maintain a desired orientation while resisting external and internal perturbations [9]. It has been defined as the ability to maintain an upright posture and to keep the center of gravity (COG) within the limits of the base of support [10]. It is preserved through the dynamic integration of internal and external forces and factors involving the environment [11], [12]. Marked evidence shows that NT programs are effective for improving measures of performance. Female athletes may especially benefit from multi-component neuromuscular training because they often display decreased baseline levels of strength and power compared with their male counterparts. Dynamic NT has also been demonstrated to reduce gender-related differences in force absorption, active joint stabilization, muscle imbalances, and functional biomechanics while increasing strength of structural tissues (bones, ligaments, and tendons) [13]-[15]. These ancillary effects of neuromuscular training, which are likely related to the reduction of the risk of injury in female athletes, are positive results of training. Without the performance-enhancement training effects, however, athletes may not be motivated to participate in a neuromuscular training program. It has not been demonstrated in the literature that performance-enhancement and injury-prevention training effects can be reached through a single neuromuscular training protocol. If such a program design were widely available, prevention-oriented training could be instituted on a widespread basis with highly motivated Yen-Ting Wang, Yu-Tien Tsai, Tzuhui A. Tseng, I-Tsun Chiang, and Alex J.Y. Lee B The Effects of Neuromuscular Training on Limits of Stability in Female Individuals World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Vol:7, No:7, 2013 381 International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 7(7) 2013 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/16359 International Science Index, Medical and Health Sciences Vol:7, No:7, 2013 waset.org/Publication/16359