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

2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hayley Ericksen ◽  
Phillip A. Gribble

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.

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 33-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler R. Keith ◽  
Tara A. Condon ◽  
Ayana Phillips ◽  
Patrick O. McKeon ◽  
Deborah L. King

The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is a valid and reliable measure of dynamic postural control. Center of pressure (COP) behavior during the SEBT could provide additional information about direction-dependent SEBT balance strategies. The purpose of this study was to quantify spatiotemporal COP differences using COP area and velocity among three different SEBT reach directions (anterior, posteromedial, posterolateral). The anterior direction COP velocity was significantly lower than both posterior directions. However, the anterior COP area was significantly greater than posterior. Based on COP behavior, the anterior and posterior reach directions appear to use different postural control strategies on the SEBT.


2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren C. Olmsted ◽  
Jay Hertel

Context:The effects of custom-molded foot orthotics on neuromuscular processes are not clearly understood.Objective:To examine these effects on postural control in subjects with different foot types.Design:Between-groups, repeated-measures design.Setting:Athletic training laboratory.Subjects:30 healthy subjects assigned to groups by foot type: planus (n = 11), rectus (n = 12), or cavus (n = 7).Interventions:Custom-fit semirigid orthotics.Main Outcome Measures:Static postural control was measured on a force plate. Dynamic postural control was measured using the Star Excursion Balance Test. Both measurements were assessed with and without orthotics at baseline and 2 weeks later.Results:For static postural control, a significant condition-by-group interaction was found. Subjects with cavus feet had a decreased center-of-pressure velocity while wearing orthotics. For dynamic postural control, a significant condition-by-direction-by-group interaction was found. Subjects with cavus feet had increased reach distances in 3 of 8 directions while wearing orthotics.Conclusions:Custom orthotics were associated with some improvements in static and dynamic postural control in subjects with cavus feet.


2016 ◽  
Vol 78 (6-7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noh Zulfikri ◽  
Saiful Adli Bukry ◽  
Maria Justine

This study aimed to determine the effects of Kinesio® taping (KT) on dynamic postural control following fatigue induction. It is hypothesized that the application of KT limits the effects of fatigue on dynamic postural control. This study used a randomized controlled trial recruited 32 male recreational athletes, randomized to one of the two groups (Group A: KT and fatigue and Group B: KT and no fatigue). Fatigue was induced using the adapted Functional Agility Short Term Fatigue Protocol (FAST-FP). The rectus femoris of quadriceps, biceps femoris of the hamstring and medial gastrocnemius of the dominant leg were taped. The dynamic postural control was assessed pre and post fatigue. A significant interaction was observed between the group and time for the anterior-posterior position (p=0.03, ηp2=0.21) while non-significant interaction was observed in the lateral symmetry (p=0.84, ηp2=0.001). A significant main effect of time was observed for anterior-posterior position (p>0.05, ηp2=0.15) while non-significant for the lateral symmetry (p=0.65, ηp2=0.007). For the main effect of the two groups was not significant for the anterior-posterior position (p=0.42, ηp2=0.02) and lateral symmetry (p=0.73, ηp2=0.004). In conclusion, the diminishing effect of fatigue on the anterior-posterior position was observed. Moreover, KT application does not limit the effects of fatigue on the dynamic postural control.  


2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 428-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Norris ◽  
Elaine Trudelle-Jackson

Context:The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is often used to train and assess dynamic balance and neuromuscular control. Few studies have examined hip- and thigh-muscle activation during the SEBT.Objective:To quantify hip- and thigh-muscle activity during the SEBT.Design:Repeated measures.Setting:Laboratory.Participants:22 healthy individuals, 11 men and 11 women.Methods:EMG measurements were taken as participants completed 3 trials of the anterior (A), medial (M), and posteromedial (PM) reach directions of the SEBT.Main Outcome Measures:Mean EMG data (% maximal voluntary isometric contraction) from the gluteus medius (Gmed), gluteus maximus (Gmax), and vastus medialis (VM) were measured during the eccentric phase of each SEBT reach direction. Test–retest reliability of EMG data across the 3 trials in each direction was calculated. EMG data from each muscle were compared across the 3 reach directions.Results:Test–retest reliability ranged from ICC3,1 values of .91 to .99. A 2-way repeated-measure ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between muscle activation and reach direction. One-way ANOVAs showed no difference in GMed activity between the A and M directions. GMed activity in the A and M directions was greater than in the PM direction. There was no difference in GMax and VM activity across the 3 directions.Conclusion:GMed was recruited most effectively when reaching was performed in the A and M directions. The A, M, and PM directions elicited similar patterns of muscle recruitment for the GMax and VM. During all 3 SEBT directions, VM activation exceeded the 40–60% threshold suggested for strengthening effects. GMed activity also exceeded the threshold in the M direction. GMax activation, however, was below the 40% threshold for all 3 reach directions, suggesting that performing dynamic lower extremity reaching in the A, M, and PM directions may not elicit strengthening effects for the GMax.


Author(s):  
Brice Picot ◽  
Romain Terrier ◽  
Nicolas Forestier ◽  
François Fourchet ◽  
Patrick O. McKeon

The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is a reliable, responsive, and clinically relevant functional assessment of lower limbs’ dynamic postural control. However, great disparity exists regarding its methodology and the reported outcomes. Large and specific databases from various population (sport, age, and gender) are needed to help clinicians when interpreting SEBT performances in daily practice. Several contributors to SEBT performances in each direction were recently highlighted. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to (a) provide an updated review of the design, implementation, and interpretation of the SEBT and (b) propose guidelines to standardize SEBT procedures for better comparisons across studies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murilo Curtolo ◽  
Helga Tatiana Tucci ◽  
Tayla P. Souza ◽  
Geiseane A. Gonçalves ◽  
Ana C. Lucato ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Basketball is one of the most popular sports involving gestures and movements that require single-leg based support. Dorsiflexion range of motion (DROM), balance and postural control may influence the performance of this sport. Objective: To compare and correlate measures of balance, postural control and ankle DROM between amateur basketball athletes and non-athletes. Methods: Cross-sectional study, composed by 122 subjects allocated into one control group (CG = 61) and one basketball group (BG = 61). These groups were subdivided into two other groups by age: 12-14 years and 15-18 years. The participants were all tested for postural balance with the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), postural control with the Step-down test and DROM with the Weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT). Between-groups differences were compared using repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance. Normalized reaching distances were analyzed and correlated with the WBLT and Step-down test. Results: There was no difference in the scores of WBLT (P = .488) and Step-down test (P =. 916) between the groups. Scores for the anterior reach (P = .001) and total score of SEBT (P = .030) were higher in BG. The values for the posterolateral (P = .001) and posteromedial reach (P = .001) of SEBT were higher in BG at the age of 15-18. The correlation between the anterior reach of the SEBT and WBLT was significant in BG between 12-14 years (r = 0.578, P = .008), and in the CG between 15-18 years (r = 0.608, P=.001). Conclusion: The balance was better in the BG, although adolescents between 15-18 years have better balance control for the posteromedial and posterolateral reaches of the SEBT.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document