Y-balance test for lower limbs (LQYBT) and upper limbs (UQYBT) are frequently used to assess dynamic single-leg balance. In this study, we aimed to examine the test-retest reliability of both tests, to compare scores on the dominant and nondominant sides and report on the magnitude of asymmetry, as well as assess any gender differences. A sample of 30 healthy, recreationally active individuals (15 men and 15 women; age, 22.83 ± 8.78 years; height, 175.46 ± 8.29 cm; body mass 72.08 kg ± 12.60 kg) completed the LQYBT und UQYBT measurements twice 12 to 14 days. Reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (absolute agreement, two-way random), paired-samples t-test, and typical error (expressed as coefficient of variation, CV). Both tests showed moderate to good relative reliability (ICC = 0.62 – 0.85) and acceptable absolute reliability (CV = 3.54 – 7.20 %), with a possible learning effect for certain reach directions. Men tended to score better than women, but statistically significant differences were confirmed in only 3 of 12 comparisons. Differences between dominant and non-dominant sides were mostly very small and statistically significant in only 2 of 6 comparisons. Mean asymmetry scores were in the range of ~3-6%. These results contribute to the evidence on the utility of LQYBT and UQYBT testing in healthy adults.
References
1.
Bauer J, Panzer S, Muehlbauer T. Side differences of upper quarter Y balance test performance in sub-elite young male and female handball players with different ages. Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2021. p. 141.
2.
Bishop C, Lake J, Loturco I, Papadopoulos K, Turner A, Read P. Interlimb Asymmetries: The Need for an Individual Approach to Data Analysis. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2021. p. 695–701.
3.
Bressel E, Yonker J, Kras J, Heath E. Comparison of static and dynamic balance in female collegiate soccer, basketball, and gymnastics athletes. Journal of Athletic Training. 2007. p. 42–6.
4.
Butler R, Arms J, Reiman M, Plisky P, Kiesel K, Taylor D, et al. Sex Differences in Dynamic Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Quarter Function in Collegiate Swimmers. Journal of Athletic Training. 2014. p. 442–6.
5.
Butler R, Lehr M, Fink M, Kiesel K, Plisky P. Dynamic Balance Performance and Noncontact Lower Extremity Injury in College Football Players. Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach. 2013. p. 417–22.
6.
Chimera N, Smith C, Warren M. Injury History, Sex, and Performance on the Functional Movement Screen and Y Balance Test. Journal of Athletic Training. 2015. p. 475–85.
7.
Dunsky A. The Effect of Balance and Coordination Exercises on Quality of Life in Older Adults: A Mini-Review. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2019. p. 11.
8.
Edwards P, Tan J, Wilson J, Lake J, Ryan J, Ebert J, et al. Upper limb performance and neuromuscular asymmetries in Australian Rules Footballers following shoulder stabilisation surgery. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2022. p. 60-S61.
9.
Gorman P, Butler R, Plisky P, Kiesel K. Upper quarter y balance test: Reliability and performance comparison between genders in active adults. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2012. p. 3043–8.
10.
Hrysomallis C. Relationship between balance ability, training and sports injury risk. Sports Medicine. 2007. p. 547–56.
11.
Hrysomallis C. Balance ability and athletic performance. Sports Medicine. 2011. p. 221–32.
12.
Kattilakoski O, Kauranen N, Leppänen M, Kannus P, Pasanen K, Vasankari T, et al. Intrarater Reliability and Analysis of Learning Effects in the Y Balance Test. Methods and Protocols. 2023.
13.
Koo T, Li M. A Guideline of Selecting and Reporting Intraclass Correlation Coefficients for Reliability Research. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2016. p. 155–63.
14.
Melzer I, Kurz I, Oddsson L. A retrospective analysis of balance control parameters in elderly fallers and non-fallers. Clinical Biomechanics. 2010. p. 984–8.
15.
Plisky P, Gorman P, Butler R, Kiesel K, Underwood F, Elkins B. The reliability of an instrumented device for measuring components of the star excursion balance test. North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2009. p. 92–9.
16.
Plisky P, Rauh M, Kaminski T, Underwood F. Star Excursion Balance Test as a Predictor of Lower Extremity Injury in High School Basketball Players. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2006. p. 911–9.
17.
Plisky P, Schwartkopf-Phifer K, Huebner B, Garner M, Bullock G. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Y-Balance Test Lower Quarter: Reliability, Discriminant Validity, and Predictive Validity. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2021. p. 1190–209.
18.
Ruffe N, Sorce S, Rosenthal M, Rauh M. Lower Quarter-and Upper Quarter Y Balance Tests As Predictors of Running-Related Injuries in High School Cross-Country Runners. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2019. p. 695–706.
19.
Schwiertz G, Bauer J, Muehlbauer T. Upper Quarter Y Balance test performance: Normative values for healthy youth aged 10 to 17 years. PLoS ONE. 2021.
20.
Velarde-Sotres Á, Bores-Cerezal A, Mecías-Calvo M, Carvajal-Altamiranda S, Calleja-González J. Validity, reliability and reproducibility of octobalance test as tool to measure the upper limb compared to modified-upper quarter y-balance test. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021.
21.
Westrick R, Miller J, Carow S, Gerber J. Exploration of the y-balance test for assessment of upper quarter closed kinetic chain performance. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2012. p. 139–47.
22.
Xu HR, Zhang YH, Mao Y, Ngo T, Zhang Q, He G, et al. Validity and reliability of upper extremity star excursion balance test in adolescent swimmers. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness. 2023. p. 210–7.
23.
Zazulak B, Cholewicki J, Reeves N. Neuromuscular control of trunk stability: clinical implications for sports injury prevention. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2008. p. 497–505.
The statements, opinions and data contained in the journal are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). We stay neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
