Eight weeks Asian squat exercise improve of static balance in sedentary male adolescent: A randomized controlled trial

Background and purpose One of the Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS), which form the cornerstone of daily activities and sports, is balance. Sedentary adolescents exhibit worse static balance functions and adolescents do not meet the recommended FMS levels are less likely to be physically active. This will result in a vicious cycle that exacerbating the negative effects of sedentary behavior. The Asian squat is exercise to improve static balancing function without the need for specialized equipment. This study analyses how eight weeks of Asian squat training affects the static balance function of sedentary male adolescent. Material and methods This study is a single blind randomized controlled trial. The subjects were 30 male sedentary students divided into treatment group (n=15) and control group. Subject in treatment group received Asian squat training 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Subject in control group (n=15) continued their activities at school and at home as usual, and attended physical education lessons at school according to schedule. The single leg stance (SLS) test result measured before and after intervention on both legs with 4 components: Stable Surface Open Eyes (SSOE), Stable Surface Closed Eyes (SSCE), Foam Surface Open Eyes (FSOE), and Foam Surface Closed Eyes (FSCE). Results There was improvement of the results of SSOE right leg, SSCE both legs, FSOE both legs, and FSCE both legs in treatment group (p < 0.05), which was significant compared to control group at week 8 (p < 0.05). Conclusions Asian squat training for 8 weeks is an effective and safe exercise to improve static balance in sedentary male adolescents.