An Evaluation of Star Excursion Balance Test In Identifying Athletes At Risk For Injury

Abstract

PURPOSE: The use of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is to screen deficits in dynamic postural control due to musculoskeletal injuries and to identify athletes at greater risk for lower extremity injury. However, the use of the SEBT has not proved reliably in female soccer populations in identifying potential lower extremity injury when assessed during pre-participation physical examinations. METHODS: 23 healthy NCAA Division I female soccer athletes; 20.3 (1.2) years, 165.1 (7.62) cm, 59.8 (8.6) kg, participated in this study. Prior to the start of the season, the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral SEBT reach distances were measured bilaterally. Each reach distances were normalized for lower limb length. Throughout the season, injury record was maintained by the certified athletic trainer. The athletes were grouped into injured (INJ) and non-injured (N-INJ) athletes. Composite scores for all three reach distances were also calculated. RESULTS: Independent t-test was conducted to compare reach distances for the SEBT between INJ and N-INJ athletes. There were no significant differences between the INJ and N-INJ group for normalized reach distances, nor composite scores of the SEBT. However, there was a significant difference in anterior reach asymmetries for those that sustained an injury (M= 6.06, SD=4.5); t(21)=2.78, p= 0.011) and those that did not sustain a lower extremity injury (M=2.5, SD=1.3). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the SEBT showed differences for lower extremity injury in the female soccer population when assessing the anterior asymmetries. Our results suggest that portions of the SEBT can be incorporated into pre-participation physical examinations to identify soccer athletes who may have a significant difference between limbs and potentially be at an increased risk for lower extremity injury.