Feasibility of a Low-Tech Proprioceptive Training Protocol for Balance in Midlife Women: A Single-Case Study
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Background/Objectives: Proprioceptive decline during the menopausal transition can impair balance, coordination, and fall risk, yet remains underaddressed—particularly for midlife women without access to clinical interventions. This study evaluates the feasibility and interpretive depth of the MAS protocol, a low-tech, home-based system designed to enhance proprioceptive awareness, sensorimotor coordination, and body schema refinement through structured self-assessment and 3D movement practice. Methods: A single-case design was employed, with a midlife woman (with prior movement experience) completing the MAS protocol, including video-based self-analysis, body mapping, and functional test batteries. Grounded in body schema theory, the protocol combined experiential reflection, visual feedback, and self-observation to improve movement accuracy. Expert evaluations compared perceived versus actual performance to identify discrepancies. Results: The participant demonstrated improved reflective awareness and postural control but consistently overestimated her proprioceptive accuracy. Expert assessments revealed gaps between self-perception and performance, underscoring the need for clearer feedback mechanisms. Despite limitations, the protocol proved feasible for fostering movement awareness in non-clinical settings. Conclusions: The MAS protocol offers an accessible framework for enhancing proprioceptive awareness in midlife women, though future iterations should integrate guided feedback (e.g., expert or AI-assisted tools). These preliminary findings support further research into digital adaptations and group-based studies to validate efficacy.