Establishing normative performance values of modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) and Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) scores and their relationship to age in female adolescent footballers

Abstract

Objectives: to establish normative performance values for the modified Star Excursion Balance Test and derived Limb Symmetry Index scores in non-injured female adolescent footballers, and identity if there is a relationship between the aforementioned metrics and ageDesign: single measure study design Setting: A single football club’s female regional talent and development teams Participants: Thirty-four uninjured female footballers, aged between 13 to 18 years.Main Outcome Measures: Modified Star Excursion Balance Test and derived Limb Symmetry Index scores.Results: There were no statistically significant differences between dominant and non-dominant leg distance scores in any of the modified Star Excursion Balance Test specific reach direction or composite scores. Across all age groups, mean dominant leg total distance scores ranged from 231.5 cm to 250.4 cm whilst non-dominant total distance scores ranged from 234.3 cm to 253.3 cm. Mean Limb Symmetry Index values ranged from 97.8% to 100.5%. Age accounted for approximately 8% of the variance within dominant, non-dominant total distance and Limb Symmetry Index scores.Conclusions: Our study has established normative performance values for the mSEBT and derived LSI scores in non-injured female adolescent footballers. Age had a very limited ability in accounting for the variance observed for composite scores in dominant, non-dominant and LSI based scores.