Latent Factor Structure of Dynamic Postural Control and Ankle Mobility in Young Female Volleyball Players During...

Background: This study aimed to explore the relationships among different indices and the underlying latent structure of dynamic postural control in young female volleyball players. It used factor analysis of indices from stabilogram diffusion analysis (SDA), the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT), and the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT) to generate hypotheses regarding the relationships among these measures. Methods: In total, 34 female middle- and high-school volleyball players participated in this study. The SDA was performed using center-of-pressure (COP) data obtained during a single-leg vertical jump landing task, and the critical point (CP) was calculated. Lower-limb reach distances in the anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL) directions were measured using the modified mSEBT. In addition, hallux-to-wall distance (HWD) was measured using the WBLT. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to examine the latent factor structure among these indices. Results: The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value was 0.63, and Bartlett's test of sphericity had significant results (p < 0.001). Considering the factor retention decision and the study's theoretical framework, a two-factor solution was adopted for factor analysis, yielding a cumulative explained variance of 79.77%. Factor 1 had high factor loadings for the ANT, PM, and PL directions. Meanwhile, factor 2 showed high factor loadings for CP and HWD. Conclusions: Factor 1 reflected the spatial dynamic balance ability associated with the mSEBT and may be related to it. Moreover, factor 2 may indicate the temporal characteristics of COP variability assessed via the SDA and based on ankle mobility-related characteristics. However, because this was an exploratory pilot study with a small sample size, the findings should be considered as preliminary hypotheses.