PROPRIOCEPTION TRAINING FOR OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
ANDY FORTUNA AND MICHAEL GONZALEZ
T
he most common injuries that may occur among offensive
linemen are knee and ankle injuries (2,6). In a study
conducted at the 2005 National Football League Combine,
approximately 57% of the 61 offensive linemen evaluated had
suffered from a knee injury at some point during their collegiate
career (3). A study of offensive linemen at the 2006 National
Football League Combine reported that approximately 80% of the
50 offensive linemen evaluated had suffered a foot or ankle injury
(6). Understanding the most common injuries among offensive
linemen helps to show why strengthening the ankles and knees
can be very important. Most of the workouts for offensive linemen
primarily focus on power, explosiveness, and agility training. A lack
of focus exists regarding balance, stability, and proprioception.
The contributing factors to these injuries are instability and
insufficient body control in dynamic movements (8). Through
proprioception training, an athlete’s balance and stability may be
trained to improve athletic performance and minimize the risk of
injury in offensive linemen.
muscles, and skin (2). After the CNS receives the input from
these receptors, it signals the rest of the body so that it is able to
respond to the external stimulus accordingly (1).
BENEFITS OF PROPRIOCEPTION TRAINING FOR
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
For offensive linemen, balance and stability are very important
attributes. It is common in game situations to have a 200-lb
(or more) athlete pushing against them, trying as hard as they
can to knock them down or aside. So, the ability to stay on
their feet is crucial for success at their position. A great way
to train for this common scenario is through proprioception
training. Proprioception training may give the offensive lineman
better mobility, which may lead to increased efficiency in their
performance. It may also lead to increases in strength and
agility (1). An athlete who is more stable and balanced in their
movements is able to perform faster, more powerfully, and with
less risk of injury (1).
WHAT IS PROPRIOCEPTION?
TRAINING METHOD
Proprioception can be thought of as the sense of knowing the
position of body parts and limbs in relation to space. The human
body contains certain receptors that send signals to the central
nervous system (CNS) about their location (5). Mechanoreceptors
are the receptors responsible for the detection of joint movement
and position, which are located in the joint capsules, ligaments,
Implementing wobble board, balance trainer, balance disc, and
star excursion training may help target these important factors.
Designing a program of balance and stability exercises with
movement-specific training may improve stability and body
control while reducing the risk of injury.
Wobble board training may improve stability, proprioception, and
coordination of the ankle joint. The firing of mechanoreceptors
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