THE RELIABILITY OF THE STAR EXCURSION BALANCE TEST AND LOWER QUARTER Y-BALANCE TEST IN HEALTHY ADULTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background/AimAnkle sprains are frequent musculoskeletal injuries that can lead to sensorimotor deficits provoking long-term instability at the ankle joint. A broad variety of clinical tests currently exist to assess sensorimotor processing, and are commonly clinically referred to as proprioceptive tests. However, there is a discrepancy in the use of the term proprioception when looking at the main outcome of these tests. As identifying specific deficits is important for motor recovery, it is critical for clinicians to select the most appropriate tests.MethodsA systematic review of four databases was performed to provide an up-to-date review of the psychometric properties of available tests referred to as proprioceptive tests. Seventy-nine articles on eight ankle proprioceptive tests were included and critically appraised. Data on validity, reliability and responsiveness were extracted from the included articles and synthesised. The tests reviewed were then divided into two categories based on their main outcome: motor control or somatosensation.ResultsStrong evidence showed that the Star Excursion Balance Test, a motor control test, is capable of differentiating between stable and unstable ankles. Moderate evidence suggests that somatosensation tests, such as Joint Position Sense, are also valid and reliable, but their responsiveness has yet to be evaluated.ConclusionsTogether, these findings indicate that the Star Excursion Balance Test can be used in the clinic to assess motor control based on its excellent psychometric properties. However, as ankle stability control involves complex sensorimotor interactions, care has to be taken regarding the use of this test as a specific tool for proprioception assessment.

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Evenness of dietary protein distribution is associated with higher muscle mass but not muscle strength or protein turnover in healthy adults: a systematic review

European Journal of Nutrition ◽

10.1007/s00394-021-02487-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Simon E. Jespersen ◽

Jakob Agergaard

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Dietary Protein ◽

Protein Turnover ◽

Healthy Adults ◽

Protein Distribution

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Short-Term Effects of Balance Training with Stroboscopic Vision for Patients with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105364 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5364

Author(s):

Kyung-Min Kim ◽

María D. Estudillo-Martínez ◽

Yolanda Castellote-Caballero ◽

Alejandro Estepa-Gallego ◽

David Cruz-Díaz

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Ankle Instability ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Balance Training ◽

Chronic Ankle Instability ◽

Balance Test ◽

Training Groups ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Star Excursion Balance Test

Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI) is one of the most common musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Stroboscopic vision (SV) training has been deemed to enhance somatosensorial pathways in this population group; nevertheless, until recently no studies have addressed the additional effects of this treatment option to the traditional therapeutic approach. Methods: To evaluate the effectiveness of a partial visual deprivation training protocol in patients with CAI, a randomized controlled trial was carried out. Patients with CAI (n = 73) were randomized into either a balance training, SV training, or a control (no training) group. For participants assigned into training groups, they received 18 training sessions over 6 weeks. The primary outcome was dynamic balance as measured by the Star Excursion Balance Test assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention. Secondary outcome measures included ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, self-reported instability feeling, and ankle functional status. Results: Better scores in stroboscopic training and balance training groups in all outcome measures were observed in comparison with the control group with moderate to large effect sizes. Stroboscopic training was more effective than neuromuscular training in self-reported instability feeling (cohen’s d = 0.71; p = 0.042) and anterior reach distance of the star excursion balance test (cohen’s d = 1.23; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Preliminary findings from the effects of SV Stroboscopic training in patients with CAI, suggest that SV may be beneficial in CAI rehabilitation.

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Inertial Sensor Reliability and Validity for Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21155167 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (15) ◽

pp. 5167

Author(s):

Nicky Baker ◽

Claire Gough ◽

Susan J. Gordon

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Inertial Sensors ◽

Postural Sway ◽

Inertial Sensor ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Healthy Adults ◽

Gait Velocity ◽

Time Data ◽

Targeted Interventions

Compared to laboratory equipment inertial sensors are inexpensive and portable, permitting the measurement of postural sway and balance to be conducted in any setting. This systematic review investigated the inter-sensor and test-retest reliability, and concurrent and discriminant validity to measure static and dynamic balance in healthy adults. Medline, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched to January 2021. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was possible for reliability studies only and it was found that inertial sensors are reliable to measure static standing eyes open. A synthesis of the included studies shows moderate to good reliability for dynamic balance. Concurrent validity is moderate for both static and dynamic balance. Sensors discriminate old from young adults by amplitude of mediolateral sway, gait velocity, step length, and turn speed. Fallers are discriminated from non-fallers by sensor measures during walking, stepping, and sit to stand. The accuracy of discrimination is unable to be determined conclusively. Using inertial sensors to measure postural sway in healthy adults provides real-time data collected in the natural environment and enables discrimination between fallers and non-fallers. The ability of inertial sensors to identify differences in postural sway components related to altered performance in clinical tests can inform targeted interventions for the prevention of falls and near falls.

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Sex Differences, Hormone Fluctuations, Ankle Stability, and Dynamic Postural Control

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-47.2.143 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 143-148 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Hayley Ericksen ◽

Phillip A. Gribble

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Postural Control ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Balance Test ◽

Healthy Women ◽

Ankle Stability ◽

Ankle Arthrometer ◽

Main Effect ◽

Star Excursion Balance Test ◽

Anterior Posterior

Context: Hormonal fluctuation as a risk factor in anterior cruciate ligament injury has been investigated with conflicting results. However, the influence of hormone fluctuations on ankle laxity and function has not been thoroughly examined. Objective: To examine the potential hormone contributions to ankle laxity and dynamic postural control during the preovulatory and postovulatory phases of the menstrual cycle using an ankle arthrometer and the Star Excursion Balance Test in healthy women. The cohort group consisted of male control participants. Design: Cohort study. Setting: Research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty healthy women (age = 23.8 ± 6.50 years, height = 163.88 ± 8.28 cm, mass = 63.08 ± 12.38 kg) and 20 healthy men (age = 23.90 ± 4.15 years, height = 177.07 ± 7.60 cm, mass = 80.57 ± 12.20 kg). Intervention(s): Ankle stability was assessed with anterior-posterior and inversion-eversion loading. Dynamic postural control was assessed with the posteromedial reaching distance of the Star Excursion Balance Test. Main Outcome Measure(s): Female participants used ovulation kits for 3 months to determine the time of ovulation; during their preovulatory and postovulatory phases, they were tested in the laboratory with an ankle arthrometer and the Star Excursion Balance Test. Male participants were tested on similar dates as controls. For each dependent variable, a time by side by sex repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed. Statistical significance was set a priori at P < .05. Results: For anterior-posterior laxity, a side main effect was noted (F1,38 = 10.93, P = .002). For inversion-eversion laxity, a sex main effect was seen (F1,38 = 10.75, P = .002). For the posteromedial reaching task, a sex main effect was demonstrated (F1,38 = 8.72, P = .005). No influences of time on the dependent variables were evident. Conclusions: Although women presented with more ankle inversion-eversion laxity and less dynamic postural control, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle (preovulatory compared with postovulatory) did not affect ankle laxity or dynamic postural control, 2 factors that are associated with ankle instability.

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