title: Visual feedback training in young karate athletes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a Visual Feedback Training (VFT) of the centre of pressure (COP) on postural sway in young karate athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  38 young male karate athletes were recruited and randomly in 2 groups: experimental group (SG; n=19, age =16.54 ± 2.00 yrs) and the control group (CG; n= 19, age 16.45 ± 1.53 yrs). The SG performed a battery test of VFT on stabilometric platform screening in a monitor of COP in a real time. During 10-min of the test, athlete tries to bring his own body to the centre of COP. CG followed the same procedure of SG without receiving any feedback of their COP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ANOVA revealed an interaction training for type × F(1,360)=78.892 at p<0.001 (η(2)=33.178) and for training × time F(1,36)=7.479 with p<0.010 (η(2)=13.432). The results showed that VFT improved COP in SG of the 83% (p<0.0001) and decreased of the 26% in the CG (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  performing VFT improve stability and balance control and therefore greater ability to acquire motor control of the body in young karate athletes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Humanities, Social and Health Science, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vando
authors.affiliation: Sport Science Program, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Monoem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.affiliation: Department of Humanities, Social and Health Science, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Masala
authors.affiliation: Department of Humanities, Social and Health Science, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Italy.
authors.forename: Lavinia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Falese
authors.affiliation: Sport Science, University e-Campus, Novedrate, Italy ; Tunisian Research Laboratory "Sports Performance Optimization" National Center of Medicine and Science in Sport, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Padulo
keywords: balance; central pattern generator; martial artists; motor control; stabilometric