No Differences Exist in Leg-Length-Normalized Y-Balance Test Scores Between Injured and Uninjured Baseball Athletes

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Balance deficits can impair throwing biomechanics in overhead athletes.
• Previous research shows balance discrepancies in baseball players using the Y-Balance Test Lower Quarter (YBT-LQ).
• Limited data exists on anterior reach (ANT) YBT-LQ scores in injured baseball athletes and treatment groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare ANT YBT-LQ scores in injured vs. uninjured baseball athletes.
• To investigate differences in ANT YBT-LQ scores between surgically and conservatively treated injured athletes.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional matched control study design was employed.
• 63 injured baseball athletes were matched with 63 uninjured controls.
• Normalized ANT YBT-LQ scores were recorded and analyzed.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in normalized ANT YBT-LQ scores were found between injured and control groups for either limb.
• No significant differences were observed between surgical and conservative treatment groups.
• P values were greater than .0125 for all comparisons.

Conclusions:

• Normalized ANT YBT-LQ scores do not differentiate between injured and uninjured baseball athletes.
• Treatment approach (surgical vs. conservative) did not correlate with normalized ANT YBT-LQ scores.
• Balance, as measured by normalized ANT YBT-LQ, is not a distinguishing factor in this population.