Comparison of Lower and Upper Quarter Y Balance Test Performance in Adolescent Students with Borderline Intellectual Functioning Compared to Age- and Sex-Matched Controls

Abstract

The Lower (YBT-LQ) and Upper (YBT-UQ) Quarter Y Balance Test are well established assessment tools for the examination of dynamic balance and shoulder mobility/stability, respectively. However, investigations on YBT-LQ/UQ performance in students with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) (i.e., intellectual quotient of 70–84 etc.) are lacking. Thus, the aim of the study was to compare YBT-LQ/UQ performance in students with and without BIF. Thirty students with BIF (age: 13.7 ± 1.2 years) and 30 age-/sex-matched students without BIF (age: 13.7 ± 1.3 years) performed the YBT-LQ and/or YBT-UQ. Normalized maximal reach distances (% leg/arm length) per reach direction and the composite score were used as outcome measures. A univariate analysis of variance was conducted to test for significant group differences. Irrespective of limb and reach direction, students with BIF compared to those without BIF showed significantly worse YBT-LQ (p ≤ 0.001–0.031; Cohen’s d = 0.57–1.26) and YBT-UQ (p ≤ 0.001–0.015; Cohen’s d = 0.68–1.52) performance with moderate to large effect sizes. Due to the poorer performance levels of students with BIF, specifically tailored interventions should be developed that have the potential to improve their dynamic balance and shoulder mobility/stability.

Effect of Verbal Encouragement on Postural Balance in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

“…To determine whether the statistically significant differences found were practically significant, the effect size of each outcome measure was calculated. The partial eta squared (ηp 2 ) formula was calculated for the main effects and interactions (small: 0.01 < ηp 2 < 0.06; moderate: 0.06 < ηp 2 < 0.14; large: ηp 2 > 0.14), and Cohen's d was calculated for the pairwise differences (trivial: d < 0.2; small: 0.2 ≤ d < 0.5; moderate: 0.5 ≤ d < 0.8; large: d ≥ 0.8) [37]. To account for multiple comparisons, a Bonferroni adjustment was conducted.…”

“…Dynamic balance was evaluated by the Y Balance Test (YBT) and the Expanded Timed Get-up-and-Go test (ETUGT). The YBT is a simple clinical tool used to provide quantifiable measures of dynamic postural balance in different populations, including individuals with IDs [36][37][38]. The YBT requires the participant to balance on one leg, placing their right foot at the center of the grid, which represents their preferred kicking leg, while simultaneously reaching as far as possible with the other leg in three separate directions: anterior (ANT), posterolateral (PLAT), and posteromedial (PMED) [39].…”

Comparison of Dynamic Balance Performances of Adult Runners With Intellectual Disability Versus Their Sedentary Peers

“…If lower-extremity strength is developed in runners with ID through their running training, then a basis for the sedentary peers' lower YBT scores may be their reduced strength (Kligyte et al, 2003). It is important to note that the YBT requires rather complex motor skills (Bauer et al, 2021), which are executed in an upright position that may lead to an excessive forward and backward body tilting or lateral displacement. Moreover, divided attention is needed for this task, as the participants were asked to combine a balance component (i.e., supporting the body with the immobile leg while executing a goal-/object-directed movement to reach with the mobile leg or arm) (Bauer et al, 2021).…”

“…It is important to note that the YBT requires rather complex motor skills (Bauer et al, 2021), which are executed in an upright position that may lead to an excessive forward and backward body tilting or lateral displacement. Moreover, divided attention is needed for this task, as the participants were asked to combine a balance component (i.e., supporting the body with the immobile leg while executing a goal-/object-directed movement to reach with the mobile leg or arm) (Bauer et al, 2021). More sedentary participants may have been relatively impaired in these combined motor skills requiring divided attention.…”

Balance Disorders in Children and Adolescents

“…In the paper of Bauer et al [ 4 ] dynamic balance and shoulder mobility/stability of adolescents with borderline intellectual functioning was assessed through the Lower Quarter Y Balance Test (the patient stand on one leg while reaching out anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral directions with the other lower extremity) and the Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (the patient stand on one arm while reaching out medial, inferolateral, and superolateral directions with the other arm) and compared to age- and sex-matched controls. Normalized maximal reach distances were analyzed and compared between the groups.…”