Abstract

The importance of postural control for performing the correct daily activities of human or complicated sport activities has been documented, thus it is necessary to assess and identify the level of neuromuscular performance in different age groups or different levels of sport activities(Pollock, et al., 2000; Punakallio, 2005). With respect to the fact that fatigue is an undeniable component of sports (Grible, et al., 2007, Helbosted, et al. 2010), the main purpose of this survey was to study the effect of three different type of fatigue protocols on dynamic balance among the female university student athletes. Among those who volunteered, a total of 20 female student athletes were randomly selected. In order to measure balance and fatigue, The Star Excursion Balance Test and Borg’s Perceived Exertion Scale were employed. The Star Excursion Balance Test was used as a pre-test. All subjects participated in every other week in three different protocols (aerobic, anaerobic, functional). The Bruce standards protocol (1973), Wilkins’s seven steps protocol (2004), and Susco treadmill protocol (2004) were used to measure aerobic, anaerobic, and functional protocols respectively. After performing each level of the protocol and when the participants scored 15 on t he Perceived Exertion Scale, the subjects stopped the protocol, and the Star Excursion Balance Test was then given. The scores of this test were used as post-test. The results of one- way analysis of variance showed that the three different protocols had different effects on generating fatigue and the differences were significant at P<0.05. The results of the Post hoc test indicated that anaerobic protocol group showed lower balance (Mean= 90.30) in comparison with aerobic (Mean= 98.75) and functional protocol (Mean= 101.59) groups. It means that anaerobic protocol produced more fatigue than any other programs. The aerobic and functional protocols were second and third in producing fatigue. Since balance is assumed to be one of the physical ability components, and plays very important role in performing different physical activities, base on the results of this study it is therefore recommended that coaches should pay attention to the effect of fatigue that is more produced during performing anaerobic training. It further means that the anaerobic exercise, due to generating more fatigue, may cause to reduce skill performance more than aerobic and functional exercises.