Y-balance Normative Data Relative To Previous Injury And Landing Mechanics In Male Division I College-athletes

The Lower Quarter Y-Balance (LQYB) test has emerged as a popular approach for quantifying lower extremity (LE) dynamic balance and identify asymmetries that may elevate injury risk. However sufficient research analyzing such relationships in a wide range of athletes is still limited. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to present normative data for LQYB composite scores across multiple sports for the right (LQYB-R) and left (LQYB-L) LE in male college-athletes and to identify differences in LQYB scores in those 1) with a prior LE injury, or 2) errors in jumping-landing biomechanics. METHODS: Male college-athletes (N = 147; 19.9 ± 1.5 y,182.3 ± 7.9 cm, 183.1 ± 24.5 lbs) across multiple sports (wrestling, basketball, soccer, tennis, lacrosse, and baseball) performed the LQYB test during pre-season testing. To determine LQYB-R, each athlete stood on the right LE, bent the right knee, and stretched the left LE in the anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial directions. LE positions were then reversed for LQYB-L. Leg length was measured to calculate LQYB-R and LQYB-L. Athletes self-reported a LE injury that prevented them from participating in sports during the prior season (no = LEI0; yes = LEI1). The Modified Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) was used to evaluate landing patterns during a standardized jump-landing task (no errors = LESS0; errors = LESS1). Differences across sports for LQYB-R, LQYB-L, and the difference between LQYB-R and LQYB-L (LQYBdiff), and differences between LEI0 and LEI1, and LESS0 vs LESS1 were analyzed using a MANOVA and independent t-tests (alpha significance level of p < 0.05). RESULTS: Significant differences were found between sports for LQYB-R (F[5, 141] = 6.43; p < 0.001; partial η2 = .19), LQYB-L (F[5, 141] = 8.44; p < 0.05; partial η2 = .23), and LQYBdiff (F[5, 141] = 3.25; p < 0.05; partial η2 = .11). The LESS0 group had significantly higher LQYB-R and LQYB-L than LESS1 (p < 0.05). The LEI1 group had significantly higher LQYB-L than LEI0 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Differences in LQYB-R and LQYB-L may reflect different sport-specific stability, balance and mobility, stressing the need for sport-specific normative values. LQYB-R and LQYB-L scores were able to distinguish optimal LESS performance. Whereas associations between LQYB scores and prior LE injury were inconsistent with prior research.