@article{ZuurLundbyeJensenLeukeletal.2010,
  author    = {Zuur, Abraham T. and Lundbye-Jensen, Jesper and Leukel, Christan and Taube, Wolfgang and Grey, Michael J. and Gollhofer, Albert and Nielsen, Jens Bo and Gruber, Markus},
  title     = {Contribution of afferent feedback and descending drive to human hopping},
  issn      = {0022-3751},
  doi       = {10.1113/jphysiol.2009.182709},
  year      = {2010},
  abstract  = {During hopping an early burst can be observed in the EMG from the soleus muscle starting about 45 ms after touch-down. It may be speculated that this early EMG burst is a stretch reflex response superimposed on activity from a supra-spinal origin. We hypothesised that if a stretch reflex indeed contributes to the early EMG burst, then advancing or delaying the touch-down without the subject's knowledge should similarly advance or delay the burst. This was indeed the case when touch-down was advanced or delayed by shifting the height of a programmable platform up or down between two hops and this resulted in a correspondent shift of the early EMG burst. Our second hypothesis was that the motor cortex contributes to the first EMG burst during hopping. If so, inhibition of the motor cortex would reduce the magnitude of the burst. By applying a low-intensity magnetic stimulus it was possible to inhibit the motor cortex and this resulted in a suppression of the early EMG burst. These results suggest that sensory feedback and descending drive from the motor cortex are integrated to drive the motor neuron pool during the early EMG burst in hopping. Thus, simple reflexes work in concert with higher order structures to produce this repetitive movement.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WiesmeierDalinWehrleetal.2017,
  author    = {Wiesmeier, Isabella K. and Dalin, Daniela and Wehrle, Anja and Granacher, Urs and Muehlbauer, Thomas and Dietterle, J{\"o}rg and Weiller, Cornelius and Gollhofer, Albert and Maurer, Christoph},
  title     = {Balance training enhances vestibular function and reduces overactive proprioceptive feedback in elderly},
  series = {Frontiers in aging neuroscience},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Frontiers in aging neuroscience},
  publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation},
  address   = {Lausanne},
  issn      = {1663-4365},
  doi       = {10.3389/fnagi.2017.00273},
  pages     = {13},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Objectives: Postural control in elderly people is impaired by degradations of sensory, motor, and higher-level adaptive mechanisms. Here, we characterize the effects of a progressive balance training programon these postural control impairments using a brain network model based on system identification techniques. Methods and Material: We analyzed postural control of 35 healthy elderly subjects and compared findings to data from 35 healthy young volunteers. Eighteen elderly subjects performed a 10 week balance training conducted twice per week. Balance training was carried out in static and dynamic movement states, on support surfaces with different elastic compliances, under different visual conditions and motor tasks. Postural control was characterized by spontaneous sway and postural reactions to pseudorandom anterior-posterior tilts of the support surface. Data were interpreted using a parameter identification procedure based on a brain network model. Conclusion: Balance training reduced overactive proprioceptive feedback and restored vestibular orientation in elderly. Based on the assumption of a linear deterioration of postural control across the life span, the training effect can be extrapolated as a juvenescence of 10 years. This study points to a considerable benefit of a continuous balance training in elderly, even without any sensorimotor deficits.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MuehlbauerGollhoferGranacher2013,
  author    = {M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Gollhofer, Albert and Granacher, Urs},
  title     = {Association of balance, strength, and power measures in young adults},
  series = {Journal of strength and conditioning research : the research journal of the NSCA},
  volume    = {27},
  journal   = {Journal of strength and conditioning research : the research journal of the NSCA},
  number    = {3},
  publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins},
  address   = {Philadelphia},
  issn      = {1064-8011},
  doi       = {10.1097/JSC.0b013e31825c2bab},
  pages     = {582 -- 589},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {Muehlbauer, T, Gollhofer, A, and Granacher, U. Association of balance, strength, and power measures in young adults. J Strength Cond Res 27(3): 582-589, 2013-The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between variables of static/dynamic balance, isometric strength, and power. Twenty-seven young healthy adults (mean age: 23 6 4 years) performed measurements of static (unperturbed)/dynamic (perturbed) balance, isometric strength (i.e., maximal isometric torque [MIT]; rate of torque development [RTD] of the plantar flexor), and power (i.e., countermovement jump [CMJ] height and power). No significant associations were found between variables of static and dynamic balance (r = -0.090 to + 0.329, p > 0.05) and between measures of static/dynamic balance and isometric strength (r = +0.041 to +0.387, p > 0.05) and static/dynamic balance and power (r = -0.076 to + 0.218, p > 0.05). Significant positive correlations (r) were detected between variables of power and isometric strength ranging from +0.458 to +0.689 (p, 0.05). Furthermore, simple regression analyses revealed that a 10\% increase in mean CMJ height (4.1 cm) was associated with 22.9 N.m and 128.4 N.m.s(-1) better MIT and RTD, respectively. The nonsignificant correlation between static and dynamic balance measures and between static/dynamic balance, isometric strength, and power variables implies that these capacities may be independent of each other and may have to be tested and trained complementarily.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MuehlbauerGollhoferGranacher2012,
  author    = {M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Gollhofer, Albert and Granacher, Urs},
  title     = {Sex-related effects in strength training during adolescence a pilot study},
  series = {Perceptual \& motor skills},
  volume    = {115},
  journal   = {Perceptual \& motor skills},
  number    = {3},
  publisher = {Sage Publ.},
  address   = {Missoula},
  issn      = {0031-5125},
  doi       = {10.2466/06.10.30.PMS.115.6.953-968},
  pages     = {953 -- 968},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {The objective was to investigate the effects of high-velocity strength training on isometric strength of the leg extensors and jump height in female and male adolescents. Twenty-eight students (13 boys, 15 girls) ages 16 to 17 years participated in this study and were assigned to either a strength training group or a control group. Strength training was conducted over 8 weeks (2 times per week). Pre- and post-training tests included the measurements of maximal isometric force and rate of force development of the leg extensors as well as countermovement jump height. Both girls (effect size = 1.37) and boys (effect size = 0.61) showed significant improvements in jump height. However, significant increases in maximal isometric force (effect size = 1.85) and rate of force development (effect size = 2.23) were found only in girls. In female and male adolescents, high-velocity strength training is an effective training regimen that produced improvements in countermovement jump height in both sexes but higher gains in maximal isometric force and rate of force development in girls.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MuehlbauerBesemerWehrleetal.2013,
  author    = {M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Besemer, Carmen and Wehrle, Anja and Gollhofer, Albert and Granacher, Urs},
  title     = {Relationship between strength; balance and mobility in children aged 7-10 years},
  series = {Gait \& posture},
  volume    = {37},
  journal   = {Gait \& posture},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Clare},
  issn      = {0966-6362},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.06.022},
  pages     = {108 -- 112},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between variables of lower extremity muscle strength, balance, and mobility assessed under various task conditions. Twenty-one healthy children (mean age: 9 +/- 1 years) were tested for their isometric and dynamic strength as well as for their steady-state, proactive, and reactive balance and mobility. Balance and mobility tests were conducted under single and dual task conditions. Significant positive correlations were detected between measures of isometric and dynamic leg muscle strength. Hardly any significant associations were observed between variables of strength and balance/mobility and between measures of steady-state, proactive, and reactive balance. Additionally, no significant correlations were detected between balance/mobility tests performed under single and dual task conditions. The predominately non-significant correlations between different balance components and mobility imply that balance and mobility performance is task specific. Further, strength and balance/mobility as well as balance under single and dual task conditions seem to be independent of each other and may have to be tested and trained complementarily.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MuehlbauerBesemerWehrleetal.2012,
  author    = {M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Besemer, Carmen and Wehrle, Anja and Gollhofer, Albert and Granacher, Urs},
  title     = {Relationship between strength, power and balance performance in seniors},
  series = {Gerontology},
  volume    = {58},
  journal   = {Gerontology},
  number    = {6},
  publisher = {Karger},
  address   = {Basel},
  issn      = {0304-324X},
  doi       = {10.1159/000341614},
  pages     = {504 -- 512},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {Background: Deficits in strength, power and balance represent important intrinsic risk factors for falls in seniors. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between variables of lower extremity muscle strength/power and balance, assessed under various task conditions. Methods: Twenty-four healthy and physically active older adults (mean age: 70 8 5 years) were tested for their isometric strength (i.e. maximal isometric force of the leg extensors) and muscle power (i.e. countermovement jump height and power) as well as for their steady-state (i.e. unperturbed standing, 10-meter walk), proactive (i.e. Timed Up \& Go test, Functional Reach Test) and reactive (i.e. perturbed standing) balance. Balance tests were conducted under single (i.e. standing or walking alone) and dual task conditions (i.e. standing or walking plus cognitive and motor interference task). Results: Significant positive correlations were found between measures of isometric strength and muscle power of the lower extremities (r values ranged between 0.608 and 0.720, p < 0.01). Hardly any significant associations were found between variables of strength, power and balance (i.e. no significant association in 20 out of 21 cases). Additionally, no significant correlations were found between measures of steady-state, proactive and reactive balance or balance tests performed under single and dual task conditions (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: The predominately nonsignificant correlations between different types of balance imply that balance performance is task specific in healthy and physically active seniors. Further, strength, power and balance as well as balance under single and dual task conditions seem to be independent of each other and may have to be tested and trained complementarily.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{MuehlbauerBesemerWehrleetal.2017,
  author    = {M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Besemer, Carmen and Wehrle, Anja and Gollhofer, Albert and Granacher, Urs},
  title     = {Relationship between strength, power and balance performance in seniors},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-399970},
  pages     = {9},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Background: Deficits in strength, power and balance represent important intrinsic risk factors for falls in seniors. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between variables of lower extremity muscle strength/power and balance, assessed under various task conditions. Methods: Twenty-four healthy and physically active older adults (mean age: 70 8 5 years) were tested for their isometric strength (i.e. maximal isometric force of the leg extensors) and muscle power (i.e. countermovement jump height and power) as well as for their steady-state (i.e. unperturbed standing, 10-meter walk), proactive (i.e. Timed Up \& Go test, Functional Reach Test) and reactive (i.e. perturbed standing) balance. Balance tests were conducted under single (i.e. standing or walking alone) and dual task conditions (i.e. standing or walking plus cognitive and motor interference task). Results: Significant positive correlations were found between measures of isometric strength and muscle power of the lower extremities (r values ranged between 0.608 and 0.720, p < 0.01). Hardly any significant associations were found between variables of strength, power and balance (i.e. no significant association in 20 out of 21 cases). Additionally, no significant correlations were found between measures of steady-state, proactive and reactive balance or balance tests performed under single and dual task conditions (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: The predominately nonsignificant correlations between different types of balance imply that balance performance is task specific in healthy and physically active seniors. Further, strength, power and balance as well as balance under single and dual task conditions seem to be independent of each other and may have to be tested and trained complementarily},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LeukelLundbyeJensenGruberetal.2009,
  author    = {Leukel, Christian and Lundbye-Jensen, Jesper and Gruber, Markus and Zuur, Abraham T. and Gollhofer, Albert and Taube, Wolfgang},
  title     = {Short-term pressure induced suppression of the short-latency response : a new methodology for investigating stretch reflexes},
  issn      = {8750-7587},
  doi       = {10.1152/japplphysiol.00301.2009},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {During experiments involving ischemic nerve block, we noticed that the short-latency response (SLR) of evoked stretches in m. soleus decreased immediately following inflation of a pneumatic cuff surrounding the lower leg. The present study aimed to investigate this short-term effect of pressure application in more detail. Fifty-eight healthy subjects were divided into seven protocols. Unilateral stretches were applied to the calf muscles to elicit a SLR, and bilateral stretches to evoke a subsequent medium-latency response (MLR). Furthermore, H-reflexes and sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) were recorded. Additionally, stretches were applied with different velocities and amplitudes. Finally, the SLR was investigated during hopping and in two protocols that modified the ability of the muscle-tendon complex distal to the cuff to stretch. All measurements were performed with deflated and inflated cuff. Results of the protocols were as follows: 1) inflation of the cuff reduced the SLR but not the MLR; 2) the H-reflex, the M-wave, and, 3) SNAPs of n. tibialis remained unchanged with deflated and inflated cuff; 4) the SLR was dependent on the stretch velocity with deflated and also inflated cuff; 5 and 6) the reduction of the SLR by the cuff was dependent on the elastic properties of the muscle-tendon complex distal to the cuff; and 7) the cuff reduced the SLR during hopping. The present results suggest that the cuff did not affect the reflex arc per se. It is proposed that inflation restricted stretch of the muscles underlying the cuff so that most of the length change occurred in the muscle-tendon complex distal to the cuff. As a consequence, the muscle spindles lying within the muscle may be less excited, resulting in a reduced SLR. Due to its applicability in functional tasks, the introduced method can be a useful tool to study afferent feedback in motor control.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{LesinskiHortobagyiMuehlbaueretal.2015,
  author    = {Lesinski, Melanie and Hortobagyi, Tibor and M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Gollhofer, Albert and Granacher, Urs},
  title     = {Dose-Response Relationships of Balance Training in Healthy Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis},
  series = {Sports medicine},
  volume    = {45},
  journal   = {Sports medicine},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {Northcote},
  issn      = {0112-1642},
  doi       = {10.1007/s40279-014-0284-5},
  pages     = {557 -- 576},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Background Balance training (BT) has been used for the promotion of balance and sports-related skills as well as for prevention and rehabilitation of lower extremity sport injuries. However, evidence-based dose-response relationships in BT parameters have not yet been established. Objective The objective of this systematic literature review and meta-analysis was to determine dose-response relationships in BT parameters that lead to improvements in balance in young healthy adults with different training status. Data Sources A computerized systematic literature search was performed in the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and SPORTDiscus from January 1984 up to May 2014 to capture all articles related to BT in young healthy adults. Study Eligibility Criteria A systematic approach was used to evaluate the 596 articles identified for initial review. Only randomized controlled studies were included if they investigated BT in young healthy adults (16-40 years) and tested at least one behavioral balance performance outcome. In total, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria for review. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods Studies were evaluated using the physiotherapy evidence database (PEDro) scale. Within-subject effect sizes (ESdw) and between-subject effect sizes (ESdb) were calculated. The included studies were coded for the following criteria: training status (elite athletes, sub-elite athletes, recreational athletes, untrained subjects), training modalities (training period, frequency, volume, etc.), and balance outcome (test for the assessment of steady-state, proactive, and reactive balance). Results Mean ESdb demonstrated that BT is an effective means to improve steady-state (ESdb = 0.73) and proactive balance (ESdb = 0.92) in healthy young adults. Studies including elite athletes showed the largest effects (ESdb = 1.29) on measures of steady-state balance as compared with studies analyzing sub-elite athletes (ESdb = 0.32), recreational athletes (ESdb = 0.69), and untrained subjects (ESdb = 0.82). Our analyses regarding dose-response relationships in BT revealed that a training period of 11-12 weeks (ESdb = 1.09), a training frequency of three (mean ESdb = 0.72) or six (single ESdb = 1.84) sessions per week, at least 16-19 training sessions in total (ESdb = 1.12), a duration of 11-15 min for a single training session (ESdb = 1.11), four exercises per training session (ESdb = 1.29), two sets per exercise (ESdb = 1.63), and a duration of 21-40 s for a single BT exercise (ESdb = 1.06) is most effective in improving measures of steady-state balance. Due to a small number of studies, dose-response relationships of BT for measures of proactive and reactive balance could not be qualified. Limitations The present findings must be interpreted with caution because it is difficult to separate the impact of a single training modality (e.g., training frequency) from that of the others. Moreover, the quality of the included studies was rather limited, with a mean PEDro score of 5. Conclusions Our detailed analyses revealed effective BT parameters for the improvement of steady-state balance. Thus, practitioners and coaches are advised to consult the identified dose-response relationships of this systematic literature review and meta-analysis to implement effective BT protocols in clinical and sports-related contexts. However, further research of high methodological quality is needed to (1) determine dose-response relationships of BT for measures of proactive and reactive balance, (2) define effective sequencing protocols in BT (e.g., BT before or after a regular training session), (3) discern the effects of detraining, and (4) develop a feasible and effective method to regulate training intensity in BT.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{LesinskiHortobagyiMuehlbaueretal.2016,
  author    = {Lesinski, Melanie and Hortobagyi, Tibor and M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Gollhofer, Albert and Granacher, Urs},
  title     = {Effects of Balance Training on Balance Performance in Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (vol 45, pg 1721, 2015)},
  series = {Sports medicine},
  volume    = {46},
  journal   = {Sports medicine},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {Northcote},
  issn      = {0112-1642},
  doi       = {10.1007/s40279-016-0500-6},
  pages     = {457 -- 457},
  year      = {2016},
  language  = {en}
}