Anthropometrics are Associated with Static Balance Performance in Intercollegiate Athletes

Abstract

Balance has been identified as a risk for lower extremity musculoskeletal injury (LEMSI). Anthropometric measurements (AM) may affect static balance (SB) performance. Understanding the relationship between AM and SB may affect how measures of balance are utilized in predicting risk of LEMSI. PURPOSE: To determine if sex and AM including height, mass, and BMI are predictive of SB performance in intercollegiate athletes. METHODS: A total of 190 intercollegiate athletes participated in the study (Males: 138, Females: 52; Age: 19.5 ± 1.3 years, Height: 181.9 ± 10.1 cm, Mass: 79.6 ± 15.2 kg). Ground reaction forces were collected utilizing a force plate during a test of single-leg SB under eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions. The variability (standard deviation) of the ground reaction forces for each direction (anterior/posterior (AP), medial/lateral (ML), and vertical (V)) and the resultant (R) was calculated in order to explain the subject’s overall static postural stability under each condition. Data from three trials for each condition were averaged for analysis. A stepwise regression analysis procedure was utilized to determine if AM and sex would significantly predict each of the calculated variables. Significance of <0.05 was set a priori for inclusion of predictor variables in the final regression equation. RESULTS: The final regression equations revealed that AM were predictive of performance (p<0.05 for all) across all the variables analyzed but sex was not. Height was predictive of worse EO SB performance (AP, ML, V, R). BMI was predictive of worse EO SB performance (AP, ML). Height was predictive of improved EC SB performance (AP, V, R). Mass was predictive of worse EC SB performance (AP, ML, V, R). BMI was predictive of improved EC SB performance (AP, ML, V, R). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that AM predicts performance during SB measures with EO and EC. These results would indicate that prospective risk factor analysis studies may need to account for AM when determining if SB is a predictor of LEMSI.