Performance on the Star Excursion Balance Test predicts functional turnout angle in pre-pubescent female dancers

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a predictive relationship between performance on the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and functional turnout angle (FTA) in prepubescent female dancers. Ten dance students, ages 5 to 9 years (mean: 7.3 years), were recruited for this study. The SEBT required the subject to reach in the anterior, posterior-medial, and posteriorlateral directions with her free-limb foot while standing on the reference limb. A composite reach score was determined by calculating the sum of distance reached in the three directions and normalizing to leg length. The FTA was assessed in first position by measuring the angle of bisection between the second and third metatarsals and the midpoint of the calcaneus. Linear regression was used to determine if there was a predictive relationship between performance on the SEBT and FTA in this cohort. The subjects demonstrated a mean FTA of 90.3° ± 17.7°. Composite reach on the dominant limb normalized to leg length (81.4 ± 11.1%) during the SEBT was a significant predictor of FTA (r(2) = 0.49, p = 0.02), while performance on the non-dominant limb (81.9 ± 10.8%) indicated a trend toward a predictive association (r(2) = 0.35, p = 0.07). A decreased composite reach score was predictive of decreased FTA. These measurements may serve as an important screening tool for identifying dancers at risk for lower extremity injury.