The Effects of a Neuromuscular Training Insole on Tests of Lumbopelvic Control and Balance, and the Association Between These Tests

The first purpose of this thesis was to examine the effects of insoles on lumbopelvic control using biomechanical and test performance measures during the sidelying active hip abduction test, and two standing balance tests (the one-leg stance test and the Sharpened Romberg test). The use of a relative change analysis allowed for the targeted examination of somatosensory mechanisms thought to underlie improved lumbopelvic control with insole use. The second was to examine the relationship between the sidelying test and standing balance tests. Perceived low back pain was examined in association with each of these purposes. In general, the use of insoles in the unaffected university aged participants produced minimal and mixed results for all of the measures examined, with no change in perceived low back pain. No association between the sidelying test and balance tests was observed, as well as no association between these tests and perceived low back pain.