Effects of adding unstable-surface balance training to resistance training on balance and agility performance in male college ballet dancers.

BACKGROUND: Ballet requires high levels of postural control, coordination, and movement precision. This study examined whether adding unstable-surface balance training to resistance training improves balance and agility performance in college ballet dancers. METHODS: Thirty male college ballet dancers were randomly assigned to an unstable-surface combined training group (CT, n = 15) or a stable-surface comparison group (ST, n = 15). Both groups completed a 12-week training program, with three sessions per week. Each session comprised 40 min of resistance training and 20 min of balance training. Static balance, dynamic balance, sensory organization, Y-Balance Test performance, and change-of-direction outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Significant time effects and group × time interactions were observed for all static-balance variables under the eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions (all p < 0.05), with broader improvements in the CT group than in the ST group. Significant time effects and group × time interactions were also observed for VIS, VEST, toes-up and toes-down adaptation, YBT-N, YBT-D, and closed-eye stepping performance (all p < 0.05). No significant time effects or group × time interactions were found for the SOT composite score, SOM, or PREF. All three change-of-direction outcomes improved over time, but none showed a significant group × time interaction. CONCLUSIONS: Unstable-surface balance training combined with resistance training produced broader improvements in static and dynamic balance than stable-surface balance training. Evidence for superior agility improvement, however, remained limited.