RELIABILITY AND STABILITY OF THE Y BALANCE TEST IN HEALTHY EARLY ADOLESCENT FEMALE ATHLETES

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Adolescent females are at an increased risk of lower extremity injuries and may be partially explained by the interaction of peak rates of skeletal growth, an immature neuromuscular system, and deficits in muscle strength and recruitment patterns. Reliable tests of dynamic stability can help identify athletes with balance deficits and assess changes in limb function after injury. Sophisticated measures of dynamic postural control, such as stabilometry, are able to detect subtle deficits in young athletes, but are expensive and may not be readily available in a clinical setting. The Y Balance Test (YBT) is a low-cost, clinical measure of dynamic postural control that mimics the demands of sports requiring unilateral balance. It requires the athlete to dynamically balance on each leg while performing a maximal reach with the other limb in three different directions: anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL). The athlete is required to maintain unilateral balance during the test as maximal reach distance is measured to the nearest 0.5 cm. Though the YBT has been predicative of injury in the adult population, studies are lacking regarding the utility in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to estimate the inter- and intra- rater reliability and stability of the YBT in early adolescent females over a one-month period. METHODS: Twenty-five female athletes (mean age 12.7 ± 0.6 years) participated. Subjects were tested at their respective practice facilities and participated in various sporting activities (Figure 1). Two novice raters with minimal training in YBT administration were randomly selected from a pool of five. The raters simultaneously assessed each subject’s YBT performance and were blinded to each other’s results. A second testing session was performed approximately one month later (n=21, mean 32.3± 9.6 days) by the same two raters, blinded to previous measurements (Figure 2). The time interval was chosen to mimic a typical duration between reassessments in standard clinical care. Maximum reach distances and composite (COMP) scores were collected on both limbs and normalized to leg length (Figure 3). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for between rater (ICC 2,1) and between session (ICC 3,1) agreement. Measurement error and minimal detectable change (MDC) values were calculated for clinical interpretation. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in height (p=0.016) and weight (p=0.003) from day 1 to day 2 of testing. Interrater reliability was excellent for all corrected reach directions and COMP scores of the right limb (ICC 0.973- 0.998) and left limb (ICC 0.960-0.999) except for the day 1 left ANT reach which was good (ICC 0.811) (Figure 4). Intrarater (test-retest) reliability were moderate to excellent for the right limb (ICC 0.681- 0.908) and moderate to good for left limb (ICC 0.714 - 0.811). Standard error of measurement (SEM) percentages were all less than 2% of all respective mean reach distances. MDC values for the right and left limbs ranged between 2.02-3.62% and 2.77-3.63%, respectively (Figure 5). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The early adolescent female is a unique population, where dynamic balance deficits are escalated by the interaction of an immature neuromuscular system, peak maturational growth rates, and emergence of sex specific differences. The incidence of ACL injuries is greatest during the high school years and recommendations support the implementation of targeted neuromuscular interventions prior to the time of this peak injury risk. The YBT is a reliable and stable tool to assess dynamic balance in early adolescent females and may be utilized by clinicians, physical education teachers, and coaches to help identify high risk individuals, mitigate the risk of injury, and determine functional improvements. The time span between testing sessions in the current study was longer than previous work in attempt to improve external validity by mimicking a typical time interval between outcome measure reassessments performed in a clinical setting. Between session reliability measures were lower than previous studies in adults and highlights the unique performance variation with dynamic balance tasks in the female preadolescent population. This is exemplified by the anthropometric changes that occurred over just a one month interval. This study supports the reliability and stability of the YBT in healthy early adolescent females and can be administered by those with minimal YBT training. Though the YBT has been shown to be predicative of injury in adults and is often included in return to sport functional test batteries after injury, future studies are needed to further understand its utility in this high-risk early adolescent female population. [Figure: see text]

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INTERRATER AND TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY OF THE Y BALANCE TEST IN HEALTHY, EARLY ADOLESCENT FEMALE ATHLETES

International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy ◽

10.26603/ijspt20190204 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 204-213 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eric T. Greenberg ◽

Matthew Barle ◽

Erica Glassmann ◽

Min-Kyung Jung

Keyword(s):

Female Athletes ◽

Early Adolescent ◽

Adolescent Female ◽

Balance Test ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Test Retest Reliability

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Anterior Reach and Symmetry on the Y-Balance Test are Related to Dorsiflexion Range of Motion but not Single-Limb Balance in Physically Active Young Adults

International Journal of Athletic Therapy & Training ◽

10.1123/ijatt.2020-0004 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Matthew C. Hoch ◽

Johanna M. Hoch ◽

Cameron J. Powden ◽

Emily H. Gabriel ◽

Lauren A. Welsch

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Weight Bearing ◽

Collegiate Athletes ◽

Balance Test ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Physically Active ◽

Left Limb ◽

The Right ◽

Club Sport

Background: The anterior reach distance and symmetry of the Y-Balance Test (YBT) has been associated with increased injury risk in collegiate athletes. Examining the influence of dorsiflexion range of motion (DROM) and single-limb balance (SLB) on YBT performance may identify underlying factors associated with injury risk. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine if YBT anterior reach is related to DROM or SLB in collegiate varsity and club sport athletes. Methods: A convenience sample of 124 university varsity and club sport athletes (females: 99, age: 20.0 ± 1.6 years, height: 168.9 ± 12.5 kg, body mass: 68.8 ± 14.0 kg) completed the anterior direction of the YBT, weight-bearing DROM, and SLB components (firm and foam surface) of the Balance Error Scoring System on both limbs at one testing session. Relative symmetry was calculated by subtracting values of the left limb from the right limb. Results: For the left and right limb, normalized anterior reach distance was moderately correlated to DROM (R = .55, p < .001). Anterior reach distance and symmetry was weakly correlated to SLB and SLB symmetry (R = −.16 to −.03). Conclusion: There was a positive relationship between YBT anterior reach and weight-bearing DROM which was also observed in the between-limb symmetry. However, weak relationships were exhibited between YBT anterior reach and SLB. These findings may be useful for future injury prevention initiatives in athletic settings.

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Correlation between Balance and BMI in Collegiate students: A cross sectional study

International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research ◽

10.16965/ijpr.2021.103 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 3759-3764

Author(s):

Tejaswini Padmanabha Suvarna ◽

◽

Joseph Oliver Raj ◽

Nithin Prakash ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Limb Length ◽

Static Balance ◽

Lateral Instability ◽

Balance Test ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Balance Deficits ◽

Test Result

Background: Balance deficits are usually related to medial-lateral instability. BMI could be an important factor to consider as; excess body mass or increased accumulation of adipose tissue can directly impact the postural stability which in return impacts balance. Purpose of the study: To find the correlation between BMI and Balance. Method: Sample consisted of 149 students, out of which 100 (67%) were males and 49 (33%) were females. BMI was calculated and was categorized into groups. Bilateral limb length was measured for normalising the data. Static balance was measured by performing blinded stork test and dynamic balance by performing Y- balance test. Data was analysed using Pearson’s correlation test. Result: There was significant correlation between BMI and static balance of left leg (r=0.713, 95% CI 0.623, 0.784, p=0.01) but on comparison, there was no significant correlation between BMI and static balance of right leg (r=0.0458, 95% CI -0.11, -0.205, p=0.58). It was found that there was no significant correlation between BMI and Left Anterior (r= -0.134, 95% CI -0.289, -0.0274, p= 0.103), Left Posterolateral (r=-0.0775, 95% CI -0.235, 0.0843, p=0.347), Left Posteromedial (r=-0.0903, 95% CI -0.248, -0.0715, p=0.273) respectively. Also, it was found that there was no significant correlation between BMI and Right Anterior (r=-0.236, 95% CI -0.382, -0.0778, p=0.00381), Right Posterolateral (r=-0.193, 95% CI -0.343,-0.0334, p=0.0183), Right Posteromedial (r=-0.126, 95% CI -0.281, -0.0354, p=0.125) respectively. Conclusion: There was significant correlation between BMI and static balance of left leg and no correlation was established between BMI and static balance on right leg and also no correlation was established between BMI and static and dynamic balance for right and left leg. KEY WORDS: Static balance, Dynamic balance, Body Mass Index, Obesity, Limb length.

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Assessment of the Relationship between Y-Balance Test and Stabilometric Parameters in Youth Footballers

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/6968473 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Damian Sikora ◽

Małgorzata Pałac ◽

Andrzej Myśliwiec ◽

Tomasz Wolny ◽

Paweł Linek

Keyword(s):

Path Length ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Dynamic Test ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Test Results ◽

Dynamic Tests ◽

Balance Test ◽

Time Required ◽

The Right ◽

The Relationship

Objectives. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the correlation between dynamic test results obtained on a stabilometric platform and the results achieved on the Y-balance test (Y-BT). Method. The study group consisted of 52 adolescent athletes, aged 14 to 17 years. Each participant was evaluated in the scope of their ability to maintain dynamic balance using the Y-BT as well as via dynamic tests on the ‘Alfa’ stabilometric platform. The following parameters were analysed: (a) from the Y-BT—relative reach of the right and left lower limbs in the anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial directions, as well as the side-to side difference in relative reach for each direction and (b) from the ‘Alfa’ platform—path length and time to reach the target using right and left lower limbs in the anterior and posterior directions. Results. A correlation between the results obtained on the stabilometric platform and the Y-BT was found only for the posteromedial direction. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the increased difference between the right and left lower limbs in the posteromedial test is related to an increase in time taken to reach the points located forward and to the left, and backwards and to the right, as well as an increase in the overall time required to complete the task on the stabilometric platform. Conclusions. The results from the Y-BT and stabilometric platform are weakly related in adolescents. These findings indicate that the Y-BT and stabilometric platform analyse different kinds of dynamic balance in adolescents. Thus, these tools should not be used interchangeably in clinical practice or scientific research.

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Lateralidad de miembro inferior y su relación con la distribución de las presiones plantares en el equilibrio estático (Laterality of lower limbs and relationship with the plantar pressure distribution in the static balance)

Retos ◽

10.47197/retos.v0i20.34615 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 5-8

Author(s):

Carmen Mayolas Pi ◽

Adoración Villarroya Aparicio ◽

Joaquín Reverter Masia

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Static Balance ◽

Lateral Preference ◽

Plantar Pressures ◽

Left Limb ◽

The Individual ◽

The Right ◽

Sole Of The Foot

La distribución de las cargas durante la marcha se ha valorado en muchos estudios, en algunos de los cuales se ha observado la influencia de la lateralidad del individuo en esta distribución. Sin embargo, en estático se han realizado pocos estudios que valoran las posibles causas de una distribución no equitativa de las cargas, algunos según la visión o no del espacio colindante y según la influencia de la lateralidad visual. En nuestro estudio vamos a observar si influye la preferencia lateral del miembro inferior en la distribución de la carga en la planta del pie, utilizando tres pruebas para valorar la dominancia lateral: chute con precisión, equilibrio dinámico y equilibrio estático (Maupas y cols., 2002). Según nuestros resultados, la preferencia lateral de miembro inferior no influye de forma significativa en la distribución de las cargas en la planta del pie, sin embargo, observamos una tendencia a que aumente la carga del miembro izquierdo en los diestros (según las pruebas de equilibrio dinámico y chute con precisión) y en el miembro derecho en los zurdos.Palabra clave: lateralidad, presiones plantares, equilibrio estático, test lateralidad.Abstract: The distribution of loads during gait has been evaluated in many studies, some of which have been seen to influence the handedness of the individual in this distribution. However, in the static pool, several studies have been carried out which assess the possible causes of inequitable distribution of the charges, some according to the vision or adjoining space and according to influence of visual laterality. In our study we will observe the influence of the lateral lower limb preference in the distribution of the load on the sole of the foot, using three tests to assess the lateral dominance: shoot with precision, dynamic balance and static balance (Maupas et al. 2002). According to our results, lower limb lateral preference does not influence significantly the distribution of charges in the sole of the foot, however, we observe a tendency to increase the load/weight on the left limb in righthanded people (according to tests of balance dynamic and precision shot) and on the right limb in left handed people.Key words: laterality, plantar pressures, static balance, laterality test.

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Improvement in Dynamic Balance and Core Endurance After a 6-Week Core-Stability-Training Program in High School Track and Field Athletes

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.22.4.264 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 264-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Michelle A. Sandrey ◽

Jonathan G. Mitzel

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

Training Program ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Core Stability ◽

Track And Field ◽

Minimal Detectable Change ◽

Balance Test ◽

Core Stabilization ◽

The Right

Context:Core training specifically for track and field athletes is vague, and it is not clear how it affects dynamic balance and core-endurance measures.Objective:To determine the effects of a 6-week core-stabilization-training program for high school track and field athletes on dynamic balance and core endurance.Design:Test–retest.Setting:High school in north central West Virginia.Participants:Thirteen healthy high school student athletes from 1 track and field team volunteered for the study.Interventions:Subjects completed pretesting 1 wk before data collection. They completed a 6-wk core-stabilization program designed specifically for track and field athletes. The program consisted of 3 levels with 6 exercises per level and lasted for 30 min each session 3 times per week. Subjects progressed to the next level at 2-wk intervals. After 6 wk, posttesting was conductedMain Outcome Measures:The subjects were evaluated using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) for posteromedial (PM), medial (M), and anteromedial (AM) directions; abdominal-fatigue test (AFT); back-extensor test (BET); and side-bridge test (SBT) for the right and left sides.Results:Posttest results significantly improved for all 3 directions of the SEBT (PM, M, and AM), AFT, BET, right SBT, and left SBT. Effect size was large for all variables except for PM and AM, where a moderate effect was noted. Minimal-detectable-change scores exceeded the error of the measurements for all dependent variables.Conclusion:After the 6-wk core-stabilization-training program, measures of the SEBT, AFT, BET, and SBT improved, thus advocating the use of this core-stabilization-training program for track and field athletes.

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Effects of Gymnastics on Static and Dynamic Balance in Children (Bingol Province Sample)

Journal of Education and Learning ◽

10.5539/jel.v9n2p211 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 211

Author(s):

Harun Genc ◽

Oktay Kizar

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Group Interaction ◽

Test Group ◽

The Body ◽

Static Balance ◽

Control Groups ◽

Balance Test ◽

Before And After ◽

The Right

This study was performed out to examine the effects of gymnastic exercises on dynamic and static balance in children. A total of 31 volunteer children attending primary school in Bingöl, 9 male experimental groups (MEG) and 8 male control groups (MCG) and 7 female experimental groups (FEG) and 7 female control groups (FKG), participated in the study. For the MEG who participated in our study, the age was found to be 7.60 ± 1.51 years, the heigth was 127.30 ± 10.90 cm, the body weight was 25.60 ± 5.41 kg and the BMI was 15.74 ± 0.99 kg/m2; for the MCG who participated in our study, the age was 7.25 ± 1.26 years, the heigth was 125.80 ± 9.70 cm, the body weight was 26.51 ± 4.73 kg and the BMI was 17.72 ± 0.66 kg/m2. For the FEG who participated in our study, the age was found to be 7.25 ± 1.26 years, the heigth was 122.63 ± 4.21 cm, the body weight was 26.51 ± 5.38 kg and the BMI was 17.72 ± 0.66 kg/m2; for the FCG who participated in our study, the age was 7.75 ± 1.25 years, the heigth was 123.50 ± 4.30 cm, the body weight was 26.75 ± 5.52 kg and the BMI was 17.55 ± 0.62 kg/m2. While basic gymnastics training was applied to boys and girls experimental groups for 8 weeks, 3 days a week, control groups continued their classroom training and were not included in any physical activities. Star balance test for dynamic balance measurement and flamingo balance test for static balance measurement were applied before and after gymnastics training. Analysis of the data obtained SPSS package program was used. The normality of the distributions of the variables and the homogeneity of the variances were determined by Mauchly Sphericity and Levene Tests. Analyzes between the groups, within the group and the effect of training were made with multiple measures analysis of variance (MANOVA) in repeated measurements. Post Hoc comparisons in significant values were determined by Bonferroni Test. The degree of significance (p < 0.05) was accepted. According to the star balance test values applied before and after exercise, test*group interaction was observed in MEG in both the right foot and left foot Anterior, Anteromedial, Medial, Postoremedial, Posterior, Posterolateral, Lateral, Anterolateral values. It has been determined that this interaction is caused by intra-group development in MGE (p < 0.05). While anterior, anteromedial, medial, postoremedial, posterior, and anterolateral test*group interaction is observed for the right foot star balance test in girls, this interaction is due to intragroup development in the FEG (p < 0.05). Although the result did not express statistical significance in the posterolateral and lateral direction values, the results of the FEG in both values were determined to be higher than the values of the FCG. According to the results of the left foot star balance test in girls, Anterior, Anteromedial, Postoremedial, Posterior, Lateral, Anterolateral values are observed in the test*group interaction, this interaction is due to intragroup developments in the FEG (p < 0.05). Although there was no significant difference in the values of the medial and posterolateral sides, it was found that the measurements of FEG in both direction values were higher than the results of the FCG. According to the flamingo balance test values, which is the other balance test applied in our research, according to MEG in MCG in both right foot and left foot tests; a significant increase was statistically observed in the FEG compared to the FCG (p<0.05). As a result, it is possible to say that the 8-week gymnastic exercises applied in our research improve both static and dynamic balance in children. It can be explained by balance is an important component in all movements of gymnastics.

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Concussion History and Time Since Concussion Do not Influence Static and Dynamic Balance in Collegiate Athletes

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.2016-0119 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (6) ◽

pp. 518-523 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Eric D. Merritt ◽

Cathleen N. Brown ◽

Robin M. Queen ◽

Kathy J. Simpson ◽

Julianne D. Schmidt

Keyword(s):

Outcome Measures ◽

Scoring System ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Collegiate Athletes ◽

Balance Performance ◽

Balance Test ◽

History Of ◽

Balance Deficits ◽

Balance Error Scoring System ◽

Balance Error

Context:Dynamic balance deficits exist following a concussion, sometimes years after injury. However, clinicians lack practical tools for assessing dynamic balance.Objectives:To determine if there are significant differences in static and dynamic balance performance between individuals with and without a history of concussion.Design:Cross sectional.Setting:Clinical research laboratory.Patients or Other Participants:45 collegiate student-athletes with a history of concussion (23 males, 22 females; age = 20.0 ± 1.4 y; height = 175.8 ± 11.6 cm; mass = 76.4 ± 19.2 kg) and 45 matched controls with no history of concussion (23 males, 22 females; age = 20.0 ± 1.3 y; height = 178.8 ± 13.2 cm; mass = 75.7 ± 18.2 kg).Interventions:Participants completed a static (Balance Error Scoring System) and dynamic (Y Balance Test-Lower Quarter) balance assessment.Main Outcome Measures:A composite score was calculated from the mean normalized Y Balance Test-Lower Quarter reach distances. Firm, foam, and overall errors were counted during the Balance Error Scoring System by a single reliable rater. One-way ANOVAs were used to compare balance performance between groups. Pearson’s correlations were performed to determine the relationship between the time since the most recent concussion and balance performance. A Bonferonni adjusted a priori α < 0.025 was used for all analyses.Results:Static and dynamic balance performance did not significantly differ between groups. No significant correlation was found between the time since the most recent concussion and balance performance.Conclusions:Collegiate athletes with a history of concussion do not present with static or dynamic balance deficits when measured using clinical assessments. More research is needed to determine whether the Y Balance Test-Lower Quarter is sensitive to acute balance deficits following concussion.

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Italian Early Adolescent Females’ Intrinsic Motivation in Sport: An Explorative Study of Psychological and Sociorelational Correlates

Physical Culture and Sport Studies and Research ◽

10.2478/pcssr-2013-0022 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 59 (1) ◽

pp. 11-20

Author(s):

Giulia Zucchetti ◽

Filippo Candela ◽

Emanuela Rabaglietti ◽

Alessandra Marzari

Keyword(s):

Intrinsic Motivation ◽

Leadership Style ◽

Psychological Factors ◽

Female Athletes ◽

Adolescent Females ◽

Self Report ◽

Early Adolescent ◽

Coaching Behaviors ◽

Key Factor ◽

Relational Factors

Abstract Using self-determination theory (SDT), this study simultaneously investigated the relationships between intrinsic motivation, psychological factors (sport enjoyment, social self-efficacy), and sociorelational factors (perceived coaching behaviors) by subsequently testing whether psychological factors mediate the relationships between social-relational factors and intrinsic motivation. One hundred and twentyseven early adolescent females from several teams of the Italian Volleyball Society completed a self-report questionnaire. Results showed that female athletes’ intrinsic motivation was associated with a) sport enjoyment and b) perceived coaching behaviors (e.g., training and instruction, social support). Second, results showed that training-and-instruction coaches’ leadership style affected intrinsic motivation via the females’ enjoyment in sport. This study provided further insights into unknown associations among psychological, sociorelational factors and intrinsic motivation, highlighting the innovative role of sport enjoyment as a key factor for sustaining intrinsic motivation. Original and useful behavioral suggestions will be given to the coaches in order to sustain female athletes’ sport enjoyment and their intrinsic motivation.

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