Hand reach star excursion balance test: An alternative test for dynamic postural control and functional mobility.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Kinesiology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Dynamic postural control assessment is crucial for functional mobility.
• The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) primarily assesses lower extremity movements.
• There is a need for tests that capture comprehensive, three-dimensional, full-body joint movements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate the Hand Reach Star Excursion Balance Test (HSEBT).
• To compare measurements and elicited joint movements between the HSEBT and SEBT.
• To compare HSEBT-elicited joint movements against normative range of motion values.

Main Methods:

• Twenty healthy, recreationally active males performed both HSEBT and SEBT reaches.
• Full-body kinematics were captured during the tests.
• Correlations between HSEBT and SEBT scores were analyzed, alongside comparisons to normative data.

Main Results:

• The HSEBT elicited significantly more and greater joint movements compared to the SEBT.
• Correlations between HSEBT and SEBT scores varied from no to good, with lower correlations for lateral and posterior reaches.
• More joint movements elicited by the HSEBT fell within normative ranges compared to the SEBT.

Conclusions:

• The HSEBT provides a more comprehensive assessment of dynamic postural control than the SEBT.
• The HSEBT is suitable for evaluating full-body functional mobility.
• The HSEBT elicits greater three-dimensional joint movements, reflecting real-world activities more effectively.