Balance Training Versus Traditional Physical Education in High School Students

This quasi-experimental study will investigate the effects of an 8-week balance-focused exercise program compared with traditional physical education on balance performance in high school students. Participants will be assigned to either a balance-focused exercise group or a traditional physical education group based on their existing class groups. Both groups will participate in two approximately 40-minute sessions per week for eight weeks.

The balance-focused exercise program will include structured exercises targeting static and dynamic balance, single-leg postural control, weight transfer, change-of-direction movements, jump and landing control, proprioceptive control, and reactive balance. Exercise difficulty will progressively increase throughout the intervention. The traditional physical education group will participate in regular school physical education activities without an additional structured balance training program.

Static balance will be assessed using the Single-Leg Stance Test and Stork Test, while dynamic balance will be assessed using the Y-Balance Test. Change-of-direction performance will be evaluated as a secondary physical performance outcome using the 5+5 Change-of-Direction Test. Measurements will be performed before and after the eight-week intervention using standardized testing procedures.

The primary purpose of the study is to determine whether a structured balance-focused exercise program produces greater improvements in static and dynamic balance performance than traditional physical education in high school students.

Inclusion criteria

• 14-18 years of age.
• Enrolled in the 9th, 10th, or 11th grade at İskele Türk Maarif Koleji.
• Able to participate in physical education classes.
• No known health condition that prevents participation in physical activity.
• No lower-extremity injury within the previous 6 months.
• Parent or legal guardian has provided written informed consent.
• Participant has provided assent and voluntarily agreed to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Lower-extremity injury within the previous 6 months.
• Neurological or vestibular disease that may affect balance performance.
• Known balance disorder.
• Orthopedic condition causing movement limitation.
• Any condition that prevents participation in physical education classes.
• Active participation in a sport requiring regular structured balance training.
• Failure to participate in any required pre-intervention or post-intervention assessment.
• Withdrawal of parent or legal guardian consent.
• Voluntary withdrawal from the study at any time.