steady-state postural response to neuromuscular and proprioceptive training program in active middle-agedwomen

background: exercise training appears to have an essential role in maintaining motor responses. objectives: this study aimed to explore the steady-state postural response to neuromuscular and proprioceptive training (npt) in active middle-aged women. methods: forty-four active women (mean age, 53.2 6.1 years) completed this cross-sectional study. during the 12-week study, the npt group (n = 20) performed the npt program, while the control group (n = 24) followed the usual warm-up routines. postural stability in different visual conditions was measured in the anterior-posterior (ap) and medial-lateral (ml) planes during quiet standing on a foam mat at baseline and after the intervention using a force platform. results: the npt could significantly improve postural balance in the ml plane with eyes open (eo) (p = 0.005) and eyes closed (ec) (p = 0.004) and in the ap plane with eo (p = 0.006) and ec (p = 0.003). estimates of mean cop total velocity with eo (p = 0.005) and ec (p = 0.004) also revealed significant interaction effects on any cop parameter. however, values of partial eta squared effect size only in the ap direction indicated a large, powerful significance for the ec condition. conclusions: the npt is effective in improving postural steadiness in middle-aged women. therefore, it might have a direct effect on decreasing the falling risk of active middle-aged women.