Relationships Between Lower-Extremity Flexibility, Asymmetries, and the Y Balance Test

Abstract

Joint flexibility, bilateral asymmetries in flexibility, and bilateral asymmetries in performance of the Y Balance Test have been associated with injuries. However, relationships among these attributes are unclear. The goal of this investigation was to examine how flexibility and flexibility asymmetries relate to the Y Balance Test. Twenty healthy active young adults (9 men and 11 women; mean ± SD: age = 21.9 ± 2.6 years; height = 171 ± 8.8 cm; mass = 67.2 ± 1.9 kg) performed 9 different lower extremity active range of motion (AROM) tests and the Y Balance Test in a single visit. Significant correlations (p ≤ 0.05) existed between bilateral average AROM measures and bilateral average Y Balance Test scores at the ankle and hip. Specifically, ankle dorsiflexion AROM at 0° knee flexion significantly correlated with Anterior, Posterolateral, and Composite directional scores of the Y Balance Test (r = 0.497-0.736). Significant correlations in ankle dorsiflexion AROM at 90° knee flexion also existed with Anterior, Posterolateral, Posteromedial, and Composite directional scores (r = 0.472-0.795). Hip flexion AROM was significantly correlated with Posterolateral, Posteromedial, and Composite directional scores (r = 0.457-0.583). Significant correlations between asymmetries in AROM and asymmetries in the Y Balance Test existed only in ankle plantarflexion with Anterior, Posterolateral, and Composite directional scores of the Y Balance Test (r = 0.520-0.636). Results suggest that when used with recreationally active healthy adults, the Y Balance Test may help identify lower-extremity flexibility deficits and flexibility asymmetries in the ankle and hip regions but may need to be used in conjunction with additional tests to understand a broader picture of functional movement and injury risk.

Different neuromuscular parameters influence dynamic balance in male and female football players

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Normative Values of Y Balance Test and Isometric Muscle Strength among Saudi School Children

“…Y Balance Test (YBT) is one of the measurement tool used to evaluate postural and dynamic balance [4]. It helps to identify lower-extremity flexibility deficits and asymmetries and might be used to predict injury risk [5][6][7].The practical feasibility of the instrument and its reliability (ICC = 0.88-0.99) render it a useful tool for evaluating the dynamic balance.…”

Relationships between the Functional Movement Screen Score and Y-Balance Test Reach Distances

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