The Development and Reliability of an Updated Dance-Specific Star Excursion Balance Test Protocol.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics and Dance Science
• Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Kinesiology and Motor Control

Background:

• Existing dance-specific modifications of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) lack conclusive validation.
• There is a need for a reliable and practical dynamic balance test tailored for dancers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and integrate practical dance-specific variations of the SEBT into a reliable test.
• To establish a new test for future screening of dancers' dynamic balance capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-one female dancers participated in a 3-stage protocol of the dance-specific SEBT (dsSEBT).
• Stages increased in difficulty, incorporating average tempo, block, and combined tasks.
• Reach distance, error scores, and completion time were recorded, with specific criteria for stage progression.

Main Results:

• The dsSEBT demonstrated high test-retest reliability with statistically significant correlations (P < .05) and excellent ICC values (.750–.918).
• Pass rates decreased significantly across stages: 90.48% for stage one, 19.05% for stage two, and 4.76% for all three stages.
• Statistically significant differences in reach distance and incomplete trials were observed between stages (P < .05).

Conclusions:

• The dsSEBT is a challenging test that effectively reveals dancers' balance limitations.
• The progressive difficulty of the dsSEBT stages challenges dancers' proprioception and dynamic balance.
• This validated test can be considered for future dance screenings to identify at-risk individuals.