COMPARISON of LOWER QUARTER Y-BALANCE TEST SCORES for FEMALE COLLEGIATE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS BASED on COMPETITION LEVEL, POSITION, and STARTER STATUS

Lower limb dynamic balance, strength, explosive power, agility, and injuries in volleyball players

PURPOSE

This study explores the relationship among lower limb dynamic balance, lower limb strength, explosive power, agility, and sports injuries in male volleyball players.

METHOD

The study involved thirty-one male volleyball athletes assessed for lower limb dynamic balance using the Y Balance Test Kit™. Muscle strength in the hip, knee, and ankle was measured using the Isomed 2000 isokinetic dynamometer. Power performance was evaluated through squat jump, countermovement (CMJ) jump, and drop jump tests using the Kistler force platform. Agility measurements were conducted using timing gates and a stopwatch.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed a significant correlation between interlimb asymmetry in the anterior reach of the Y balance test and non-contact injuries (r = 0.597, P < 0.01). Additionally, there were significant correlations between the Y balance test and lower limb strength (r = 0.356 to 0.715, P < 0.05), vertical jumping performance (r = 0.357 to 0.672, P < 0.05), and agility (r = -0.379 to -0.702, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Based on these findings, It is recommended that interlimb asymmetry in the anterior reach direction of the Y Balance Test be considered as one of the indicators for potential non-contact lower limb injuries among elite male volleyball players. The lower limb muscle strength of the hip, knee, and ankle joints and power and agility are associated with lower limb dynamic balance capabilities. Additionally, dynamic balance may contribute to overall physical performance. Targeted strength training for unilateral muscles and incorporating various explosive exercise modes may support athletic performance and reduce the risk of sports-related injuries.

The Effects of Motor Imagery on Static and Dynamic Balance and on the Fear of Re-Injury in Professional Football Players with Grade II Ankle Sprains

Lateral ankle sprains are one of the most frequent athletic injuries in football, causing deficits in balance. Motor Imagery (MI) has been successively included in sports rehabilitation as a complementary therapeutic intervention. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of MI on static and dynamic balance and on the fear of re-injury in professional football players with Grade II ankle sprains. Fifty-eight participants were randomly allocated into two groups: First-MI group (n = 29) and second-Placebo group (n = 29), and they each received six intervention sessions. The first MI group received MI guidance in addition to the balance training program, while the second Placebo group received only relaxation guidance. One-way ANOVA showed statistically significant results for all variables, both before and 4 weeks after the interventions for both groups. The t-test showed statistically significant differences between the two groups for static balance for the right lower extremity (t = 3.25, S (two-tailed) = 0.002, p < 0.05) and also for heart rate (final value) in all time phases. Further research is needed in order to establish MI interventions in sports trauma recovery using stronger MI treatments in combination with psychophysiological factors associated with sports rehabilitation.

Association between the Upper Quarter Dynamic Balance, Anthropometrics, Kinematics, and Swimming Speed

Besides recurrently assessed water-based parameters, there are also some individual characteristics that affect swimming performance that are not water related. In the past few years, dynamic balance has been associated with land sports performance. Conversely, evidence on this topic in swimming is scarce. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between on-land dynamic balance and swimming performance. Sixteen young adults and recreational swimmers were recruited for the present study (8 males 20.8 ± 2.0 years, and 8 females 20.1 ± 1.9 years). A set of anthropometric features were measured. The upper quarter Y-balance test was selected as a dynamic balance outcome, and swimming speed as the swimming performance indicator. The results showed a moderate and positive correlation between dynamic balance and swimming performance (p < 0.05). Speed fluctuation was highly and negatively related to swimming speed (p < 0.001), i.e., swimmers who had higher scores in the dynamic balance were more likely to deliver better performances. This suggests that in recreational swimmers, the stability and mobility of the upper extremity had a greater influence on swimming performance. Therefore, swimming instructors are advised to include dynamic balance exercises in their land-based training sessions to improve their swimmers' performance.

Correlations Between Preseason Functional Test Scores and Game Performance in Female Collegiate Volleyball Players

Background

Functional tests (FT) are assessment tools that attempt to evaluate balance, flexibility, strength, power, speed, or agility through performance of gross motor skills. FT are frequently administered by coaches or sports medicine professionals to evaluate athletic ability, to predict performance, to identify athletes at risk for injury, or to evaluate an athlete's ability to return to sport after injury. Functional tests which can provide accurate or predictive information regarding athletic ability would be advantageous to coaching staffs or medical professionals.

Purpose

The primary purpose of this study was to identify correlations between preseason FT scores and in-season game statistics in a cohort of female collegiate level volleyball (VB) players. A secondary purpose was to present FT descriptive data for this cohort based on level of competition, player position, and starter status.

Study Design

prospective cohort; correlational.

Methods

One hundred and thirty-one female collegiate VB players representing three levels of competition completed four FT [standing long jump (SLJ), single-leg hop (SLH), lower extremity functional test (LEFT), and the Y-Balance Test - Lower Quarter (YBT-LQ)] at the start of the preseason. Player statistics were collected from team records at the completion of the season.

Results

Starters performed significantly better on all tests. There were moderate negative correlations between LEFT scores and game statistics for liberos, defensive specialists, and outside hitters. There were moderate positive correlations between YBT-LQ composite scores and game statistics for liberos, defensive specialists, hitters, and middle blockers. There were also low to moderate level positive correlations between SLJ and SLH scores and game performance for outside hitters. There were low to moderate level positive correlations between SLH scores and game performance for middle blockers and opposite side hitters.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate that there are low to moderate correlations between some preseason functional test scores and some game statistics. The SLJ, SLH, LEFT, and YBT-LQ tests may help coaches with talent identification and/or may influence training strategies.

Level of Evidence

3.

Exploring the Y-Balance-Test scores and inter-limb asymmetry in soccer players: differences between competitive level and field positions

Background

The postural stability seems to be important in the physical development of the soccer player and the specific tasks related to the game. In addition, it is related to the injury risk and therefore, with the injury prevention and retraining processes. In this context, the Y Balance Test (YBT) is presented as a tool to assess dynamic postural control.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the differences and possible correlations in the YBT scores and inter-limb asymmetry for anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM) and posterolateral (PL) directions by category and field position in soccer players.

Methods

173 males soccer players aged between 14 and 33 years old agreed to participate. Five categories and six field position were considered in this study. A standardised protocol was used at multiple clubs during the pre-season assessment of musculoskeletal function in soccer players. All the players performed the Y Balance Test (YBT) (official YBT Kit), assessing the dominant and non-dominant leg for three YBT directions (anterior-AN, posteromedial-PM and posterolateral-PL), inter-limb asymmetry and composite score.

Results

For AN, amateur and semiprofessional obtained the highest values for Dominant and Non-Dominant legs (Range_mean = 101.8–109.4%) and the lowest level in PRO players (mean: 62.0%). Concerning PM-PL, semiprofessional (Range_mean = 126.4–132.7%, dominant and non-Dominant respectively), followed by professional and amateur reported higher scores compared to youth categories. Inter-limb asymmetry showed higher values in lower age categories. The best composite scores were detected in semiprofessionals (Range_mean = 113.3–126.7% for dominant and Range_mean = 113.8–129.7% for non-Dominant leg), compared with the rest of the categories and for each field position evaluated.

Conclusion

Comparisons between field-positions revealed that centre-backs were worse than wingers and forwards. In order to explain variations in dynamic balance between competitive levels within the same age-group, special considerations about training programmes and related co-variables should be considered.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13102-022-00438-w.

Limb Dominance Does Not Affect Y-Balance Test Performance in Non-Athlete Adolescents

BACKGROUND

The Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT-LQ) has been shown to be reliable for assessing dynamic balance in children and adolescents. However, limited research is available about the effects of leg dominance on YBT-LQ performance in adolescents. In addition, there is no consensus on the use of maximum reach or mean reach distance being a better measure of YBT-LQ performance.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

The purposes of this study were to determine if there is a difference in the YBT-LQ performance between the dominant and non-dominant limbs in non-athlete adolescents, and to compare the reliability of the maximum reach scores to that of the mean reach scores in this population.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Twenty-six healthy non-athlete adolescents (13.6 ± 1.0 years, 22 girls, 4 boys) performed the YBT-LQ on two separate days while the same investigator scored their performance. Paired t-tests were used to compare reach distances on dominant and non-dominate stance limbs. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC3,1) were calculated for the maximum and mean reach distances for three directions (anterior, posterolateral, posteromedial) and the composite scores on each limb.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in YBT-LQ performance between dominant and non-dominant stance limbs (p > 0.05). Overall, the between-day intra-rater reliability for maximum reach and mean reach scores was moderate-to-good for both limbs (ICC3,1 = 0.59 - 0.83), but was poor for the composite score on the dominant limb (ICC3,1 = 0.42) and maximum anterior reach on non-dominant limb (ICC3,1 = 0.48).

CONCLUSION

Limb dominance does not seem to be a factor for YBT-LQ performance in this population. The YBT-LQ appears to be a reliable tool for dynamic balance assessment in non-athlete adolescents using the individual score of each direction. The use of mean reach measures seems to slightly improve reliability, specifically the anterior reach direction, in this population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 2b.

Diverging Playing Positions do not Lead to Differences in YBT-UQ Performance in Youth Handball Players

Handball playing positions can be differentiated between first line players who position themselves near the 6-m line and second line players who typically play outside the 9-m space. Handball is characterized by a high number of throwing actions that cause adaptations in the throwing shoulder. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess whether the specific physiological positional demands in handball lead to functional performance differences between the playing positions ( N =196; goalkeepers: n =25; backcourt: n =99; pivots: n =21; winger: n =51) in terms of shoulder mobility and stability in any reach direction as assessed through the Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (YBT-UQ). Contrary to our hypothesis, the results did not show significant differences between the playing positions in shoulder mobility and stability in youth handball players, irrespective of reach arm and reach direction. The obtained effect sizes ( η _p ² ) were solely small and ranged between 0.01 and 0.03. The adaptations following the demands of the diverging playing positions do not lead to significant differences in shoulder mobility and stability on the basis of the YBT-UQ. The overall training load of youth handball players may not be sufficient to lead to significant position-specific differences in shoulder mobility and stability.

Preseason functional tests discriminate injury risk in female collegiate volleyball players

OBJECTIVE

Preseason functional tests have been previously associated with noncontact time-loss lower extremity injuries in a variety of athletic populations. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of one or more functional tests to discriminate injury risk in a cohort of female collegiate volleyball players in the United States.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II & III, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics female volleyball players; PARTICIPANTS: 130 female volleyball players (mean age: 19.31 ± 1.1 years).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Lower extremity functional test, single limb hop for distance, standing long jump, previous injury history, lower quarter Y-balance test, and limb symmetry index were measured prior to the season beginning. Noncontact time-loss lower quarter injuries were tracked during the season.

RESULTS

Athletes with suboptimal scores on the single limb hop test (<70% of height) and standing long jump (<80% of height), combined with a previous history of injury, were three times more likely to sustain an injury during the season (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.09 to 8.30). Individual functional tests did not discriminate injury risk.

CONCLUSIONS

A battery of preseason functional tests and injury history discriminates injury risk in female collegiate volleyball players.