Limb Symmetry Index in Collegiate Dancers Using the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test and Single Leg Hops.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Dance Science
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Dance requires high physical exertion and unilateral movements, often leading to leg dominance and asymmetry.
• Increased leg asymmetry, measured by the Limb Symmetry Index (LSI), correlates with a higher risk of injury in athletes.
• Limited research exists on leg symmetry specifically within collegiate dance populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate leg symmetry in collegiate dancers using the modified star excursion balance test (mSEBT) and single-leg hop (SLH) tests.
• To determine the Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) for collegiate dancers during specific balance and performance tasks.
• To provide data for return-to-performance decisions in injured dancers.

Main Methods:

• 120 collegiate dancers (105 female, 15 male) performed mSEBT and SLH tests.
• Tests were normalized to leg length (%LL) for mSEBT and body height (%BH) for SLH.
• Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) was calculated as (lower limb score / higher limb score) × 100.

Main Results:

• Mean LSI for mSEBT was 99.1% ± 0.9%, indicating high symmetry.
• Mean LSI for SLH was 95.9% ± 3.5%, also indicating high symmetry.
• Dancers' LSI scores exceeded the >90% threshold for healthy, active adults.

Conclusions:

• Collegiate dancers demonstrate good leg symmetry in balance and hop tests, comparable to healthy adults.
• The contralateral limb can serve as a reliable reference for return-to-performance decisions post-injury.
• Integrating LSI into screening can identify significant asymmetries and guide rehabilitation for dancers.