Ballistic Resistance Training: Feasibility, Safety, and Effectiveness for Improving Mobility in Adults With Neurologic Conditions: A Systematic Review.
Study Goal
To determine whether ballistic resistance training is feasible, safe, and effective in improving muscle strength, power generation, and mobility in adults with neurologic conditions.
Results Summary
Ballistic resistance training was found to be feasible and safe, with only one intervention-related adverse event reported. It improved strength and power generation in specific muscle groups and had a positive treatment effect on self-selected walking speed, though results for fastest comfortable walking speed were inconclusive.
Population
Adults with neurologic conditions.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ballistic resistance training | no change | feasibility and safety | adults with neurologic conditions | only 1 intervention-related adverse event reported | was feasible and safe | #1 |
Ballistic resistance training | increase | hip abduction strength | adults with neurologic conditions | - | improvements in strength | #2 |
Ballistic resistance training | increase | leg press strength | adults with neurologic conditions | - | improvements in strength | #3 |
Ballistic resistance training | increase | knee flexion strength | adults with neurologic conditions | - | improvements in strength | #4 |
Ballistic resistance training | increase | ankle dorsiflexion strength | adults with neurologic conditions | - | improvements in strength | #5 |
Ballistic resistance training | no change | hip flexion strength | adults with neurologic conditions | - | no improvement in strength | #6 |
Ballistic resistance training | no change | hip extension strength | adults with neurologic conditions | - | no improvement in strength | #7 |
Ballistic resistance training | no change | knee extension strength | adults with neurologic conditions | - | no improvement in strength | #8 |
Ballistic resistance training | no change | ankle plantarflexion strength | adults with neurologic conditions | - | no improvement in strength | #9 |
Ballistic resistance training | increase | muscle power generation for hip flexion | adults with neurologic conditions | - | improved | #10 |
Ballistic resistance training | increase | muscle power generation for hip abduction | adults with neurologic conditions | - | improved | #11 |
Ballistic resistance training | increase | muscle power generation for leg press | adults with neurologic conditions | - | improved | #12 |
Ballistic resistance training | increase | muscle power generation for knee extension | adults with neurologic conditions | - | improved | #13 |
Ballistic resistance training | increase | muscle power generation for knee flexion | adults with neurologic conditions | - | improved | #14 |
Ballistic resistance training | no change | muscle power generation for ankle plantarflexion | adults with neurologic conditions | - | no improvement | #15 |
Ballistic resistance training | increase | self-selected walking speed | adults with neurologic conditions | standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-1.38) | positive treatment effect | #16 |
Ballistic resistance training | no change | fastest comfortable walking speed | adults with neurologic conditions | SMD of 0.45 (95% CI, -0.01 to 0.91) | inconclusive results | #17 |
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether ballistic resistance training is feasible, safe, and effective in improving muscle strength, power generation, and mobility in adults with neurologic conditions. DATA SOURCES: Nine electronic databases were searched from inception to March 2019 in addition to the reference lists of included articles. STUDY SELECTION: Articles were independently screened by 2 authors and were included if they were full-text; English-language articles published in a peer-reviewed journal; investigated ballistic resistance training for adults with a neurologic condition; and reported on feasibility, safety, strength, power, or mobility. DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors independently extracted data. Study quality was assessed using the McMaster critical review form and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. DATA SYNTHESIS: The search identified 1540 articles, with 13 articles describing 9 studies meeting the criteria for inclusion. Five studies were randomized controlled trials and 4 were cohort studies. Ballistic resistance training was feasible and safe with only 1 intervention-related adverse event reported. Findings indicated improvements in strength for hip abduction, leg press, knee flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion, but not for hip flexion, hip extension, knee extension, or ankle plantarflexion. Muscle power generation improved for hip flexion, hip abduction, leg press, knee extension, and knee flexion, but not for ankle plantarflexion. Treatment effect was positive for self-selected walking speed, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-1.38) from 3 studies. However, fastest comfortable walking speed results were inconclusive with a SMD from 4 studies of 0.45 (95% CI, -0.01 to 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Ballistic training is safe and feasible for people with a neurologic condition. The effects on muscle strength, power generation, and mobility were found to be positive but not conclusive.