Examination Of Two Different Balance Tests In Active-duty Firefighters

Abstract

Approximately 20% of firefighter (FF) injuries are the result of falls, jumps, slips, or trips and poor balance may be a common mechanism. Research has suggested that the Lower Quarter Y Balance Test (LQ-YBT) may be predictive of lower extremity injury, but the LQ-YBT may also be influenced by BMI and movement efficiency. Recently, a Functional Balance Test (FBT) was introduced to better reflect job-specific balance demands in FFs. However, the relationship between the LQ-YBT and FBT as well as with measures of fitness in FFs remains unclear. PURPOSE: To identify the relationship between LQ-YBT and FBT performance as well as measures of fitness in active-duty FFs. METHODS: 16 (14 male, 2 female) active-duty FFs (35.3 ± 8.0 yrs, 179.1 ± 6.2 cm, 91.1 ± 16.9 kg) volunteered for the study. BMI and percent body fat via skinfolds (%Fat) were determined and each participant performed a FusioneticsTM Movement Efficiency Screen (MES), LQ-YBT, FBT, counter movement jump (CMJ), and a maximal treadmill test (VO2MAX). A composite score (LQ-YBTcomp) was formed by averaging the reach distances (normalized to leg length) in each direction across both limbs. The FBT required participants to walk on a wooden beam (2.5 m x 0.09 m x 0.05 m) by walking forward to the center, turning 180°, and walking backwards to the end of the beam before stepping off and repeating the same pattern to the starting point. FBT performance was represented by the total completion time (FBTTIME) and total count for stepping off the beam (FBTERROR). Bivariate Pearson correlations determined the relationship between LQ-YBTCOMP, FBT, and FBTERROR and all physical fitness factors. An alpha of 0.05 determined statistical significance. RESULTS: Significant correlations were identified between LQ-YBTcomp (97.0 ± 5.9%) and %FAT (r = -0.586, P = 0.017), BMI (r = -0.695, P = 0.003), and VO2MAX (r = 0.594, P = 0.015). FBTTIME (15.5 ± 5.2 sec) and FBTERROR (1.7 ± 1.1) were not related to any fitness measures or LQ-YBTcomp. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of relationship between LQ-YBT and FBT may suggest that the tests reflect different aspects of balance. Further, the FBT was not related to any other measure whereas the LQ-YBT was related to measures of fitness (i.e., %Fat, BMI, VO2MAX). Thus, the FBT may have greater generalizability in evaluating balance performance in active-duty FFs.