# Do Progressive Sensorimotor Training Devices
## 4 Discussion
Hence, the challenge to sensorimotor control induced by the oscillating platform differed between participants. Although the current study did not include measures of lower limb joint moments, one possible explanation for the greater between-subject variability is that the oscillatory platform may provoke a different balance strategy than balance pads. For instance, [PERSON] et al. [28] showed that rapid translations on flat surfaces, similar to that imposed by the oscillatory platform, result in a shift of postural control strategies from either an ankle or hip strategy [29], to a more combined balance strategy. Similarly, [PERSON] et al. [12] reported that hard surfaces provoke a more rigid ankle joint and a shift towards a hip strategy. With this in mind, it is noteworthy that performance on balance conditions involving two of the foam-based balance pads (ST1 and ST2) remained moderately correlated, even when used in combination with the oscillating platform. Hence, combined use of foam balance pads with an oscillatory platform likely invokes an interplay between different postural control strategies. Although further research is required, it is possible that the least stable balance pad and oscillatory platform may be a useful tool for training the adaptation of balance strategies and multi-joint coordination in young athletes, or for identifying athletes who are weak strategy adapters. Although previous studies have identified differential sex effects in static postural control in older adults [21; 22; 23], there were no significant differences in COM displacement between males and females during any balance conditions in this study. The finding is consistent with studies of postural sway in healthy young adult populations [21; 22; 23], and collectively, suggest that sex-related differences in balance may be more prevalent in elderly adult populations. Given the difference in height and weight of males and females in the current study, our results also lend indirect support to previous research in which measures of body anthropometry, such as stretch stature and weight have been shown to be only weakly correlated to static postural control in healthy adults [30; 31]. This study has several limitations that should be kept in mind when interpreting the results. First, although participants in the current study were afforded a familiarization period on each device [32] and the order of balance conditions was randomized between participants to minimize potential learning effects, training-related enhancements in postural control and muscular activity are well documented in balance-related tasks. For instance, [PERSON] et al. [33] showed that as little as two days of training on a wobble board induced adaptive responses in the neuromuscular system that enhanced postural control and balance. The relative challenge imposed by each sensorimotor device to postural equilibrium in the current study, therefore, should be considered as a baseline response only, which is likely to change with extended exposure. Secondly, this study quantified COM displacement using a body-worn triaxial accelerometer rather than using a force platform to monitor center of pressure movement as traditionally used in static posturography. Although accelerometers have been shown to be reliable, accurate, and sensitive measures of postural control [19; 20; 34], the combined use of these and other technologies, such as 3D motion analysis, would have undoubtedly provided greater insight into potential joint loading and balance strategies employed by participants on each device [35]. Further research incorporating motion analysis, ground reaction force, and electromyography, therefore, is required to evaluate potential neurological mechanisms and balance strategies employed by participants on each device. Finally, this study evaluated COM displacement in healthy young athletes competing in field-based sports.