Dynamic and Static Assessment of Single-Leg Postural Control in Female Soccer Players

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Motor Control

Background:

• Postural stability assessment is crucial for athletes.
• Various methods exist for evaluating static and dynamic balance.
• Female soccer players require specific balance assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between dynamic postural stability (Star Excursion Balance Test - SEBT) and static postural sway (TechnoBody™ Pro-Kin) in female soccer players.
• To determine side-to-side symmetry in balance measures within this cohort.
• To understand how lower-extremity dominance affects balance assessment correlations.

Main Methods:

• 18 female soccer players underwent SEBT and TechnoBody™ Pro-Kin assessments.
• Key outcome measures included SEBT reaches and force plate center of pressure data (x- and y-axes, SD of movement).
• Bivariate correlations and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• Significant correlations were observed between SEBT and postural sway measures for dominant vs. nondominant lower extremities, except for SD of movement in x- and y-axes.
• A significant correlation was found between SEBT right lower extremity posterior lateral reach and summed SEBT with center of pressure in the y-axis.
• On the left lower extremity, significant correlation was found between SD of forward/backward movement and SEBT posterior medial reach.

Conclusions:

• Dynamic and static postural tests yield different information for assessing balance in female soccer players.
• The relationship between dynamic and static balance variables is influenced by the player's lower-extremity dominance.
• Comprehensive balance assessments should consider both dynamic and static measures, acknowledging limb dominance.