{
  "abstract": "Background\n\nGamified balance platforms offer engaging alternatives to traditional balance tools; however, their comparative effectiveness in improving dynamic balance and motivation in athletic populations remains unclear.Hypothesis/Purpose: To compare the effects of gamified (Wii Fit) versus traditional (wobble board) balance training on dynamic balance and intrinsic motivation in collegiate athletes.Study design\n\nQuasi-experimental controlled trial.Methods\n\nThirty healthy collegiate athletes (5 males, 25 females; 19.8 ± 0.9 years) were pseudo-randomized to gamified training (n = 9), traditional training (n = 11), or a control group (n = 10). Participants in the training groups completed twelve 15-minute supervised sessions (three times per week for four weeks). Dynamic balance was assessed pre- and post-intervention using the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) and the Dynamic Postural Stability Index (DPSI). Motivation was evaluated post-training using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). Group x time differences were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey post hoc tests, and IMI scores were compared between training groups using one-way ANOVAs.Results\n\nBoth training groups showed significant improvements in anterior reach (gamified: +6.5 ± 10.2 cm; traditional: +6.5 ± 10.3 cm) and mSEBT composite scores (gamified: +21.6 ± 11.9 cm, d = 1.84; traditional: +18.5 ± 14.6 cm, d = 1.54) compared with control (-2.3 ± 10.5 cm; p < 0.01). DPSI scores did not change significantly (p > 0.28). IMI interest/enjoyment scores were higher in the gamified group (5.0 ± 1.2) than the traditional group (3.2 ± 1.3; p < 0.01, d = 1.50).Conclusion\n\nGamified balance training produced similar biomechanical improvements to traditional balance training while eliciting greater enjoyment. It may serve as an engaging option for balance rehabilitation and injury-prevention programs in athletes.Level of evidence\n\n2.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Exercise Physiology Ohio University.",
    "Health Sciences and Kinesiology Georgia Southern University.",
    "Kinesiology and Applied Physiology University of Delaware."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Melissa N Anderson",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7626-6997"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Marie N Davidson"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Barry Munkasy"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Barry Joyner"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Thomas A Buckley"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2q9j2asm6c8g1.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.26603/001c.172561",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13727002/?tool=EBI",
  "id": "2q9j2asm6c8g1",
  "issns": [
    "2159-2896"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13727002",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Original Research"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "3612|Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7225011377",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13727002/pdf/?tool=EBI",
  "pmcid": "PMC13727002",
  "pmid": "42974341",
  "published": "2026-11-01",
  "publisher": "North American Sports Medicine Institute",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2q9j2asm6c8g1.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-03T15:20:51Z",
      "native_id": "PMC:PMC13727002",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13727002"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-04T15:20:47Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42974341",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42974341"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-05T12:23:13Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13727002",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.172561"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "journal-openalex:F27",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Gamified Versus Traditional Balance Training: Effects on Balance and Motivation in Collegiate Student-Athletes",
  "title_text": "Gamified Versus Traditional Balance Training: Effects on Balance and Motivation in Collegiate Student-Athletes",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-06T12:22:49Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2q9j2asm6c8g1",
  "venue": "International journal of sports physical therapy",
  "versions": []
}