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A comparison between performance on selected directions of the star excursion balance test and the Y balance test
Garrett F Coughlan1, Karl Fullam, Eamonn Delahunt
1School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College, Dublin, Ireland. garrett.coughlan@irfu.ie
Context:
The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is a widely accepted method of assessing dynamic postural stability. The Y Balance Test (YBT) is a commercially available device for measuring balance that uses 3 (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral) of the 8 SEBT directions and has been advocated as a method for assessing dynamic balance. To date, no studies have compared reach performance in these tests in a healthy population.
Objective:
To determine whether any differences exist between reach distance performance for the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions of the SEBT and the YBT.
Design:
Descriptive laboratory study.
Setting:
University motion analysis laboratory.
Patients Or Other Participants:
A total of 20 healthy active male participants (age = 22.50 ± 3.05 years, height = 1.78 ± 0.82 m, weight = 79.48 ± 11.32 kg, body mass index = 24.96 ± 2.56 kg/m²).
Intervention(S):
Participants carried out 3 trials in each reach direction on each leg on the SEBT and the YBT a minimum of 1 week apart.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
The means of the 3 trials in each direction on each leg on both tests were calculated. Data were collected after 4 practice trials in each direction. Paired t tests and Bland-Altman plots were used to compare reach distances between the SEBT and the YBT.
Results:
Participants reached farther in the anterior direction on the SEBT than on the YBT. No differences were observed in the posteromedial and posterolateral directions.
Conclusions:
Differing postural-control strategies may be used to complete these tasks. This finding has implications for the implementation and interpretation of these dynamic balance tests.
