Gender Differences In Functional Movement Screen And Y-balance Test Scores In Middle School Aged Children

Abstract

Poor static and dynamic postures have been related to musculoskeletal injury. These postures can cause poor arthrokinematics, which in time may lead to pain and disability. Recent research has suggested that better functional movement and dynamic balance are associated with reduced injury rates. However, there are no published reports in this area on middle school aged children and whether gender differences exist in this age group. PURPOSE: To examine gender differences in functional movement quality and dynamic balance, as measured by the Y-Balance testing protocol, in middle school aged children. METHODS: Two physical education classes of middle school aged students (13 boys and 19 girls) were recruited for the study. Informed consent was obtained from the students and the students' parents. All students participated in dynamic balance testing using the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral reach directions of the Star Excursion Balance Test as measured by the Y-Balance testing device. Scores on anterior, posteromedial, posterolateral, and composite reach distances were normalized to leg length. In addition to Y-Balance testing, all students participated in the Functional Movement Screen. The Functional Movement Screen consisted of 7 tests: squat, lunge, hurdle step, push up, shoulder mobility, active straight leg raise, and rotary stability test. Independent samples t-tests were used to examine differences between boys and girls for the Y-Balance Test scores while Mann-Whitney U tests were used to examine differences in the functional movement tests due to the rank-order nature of the data. RESULTS: Girls performed better on the squat, lunge, straight leg raise, and shoulder mobility compared to boys (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between girls and boys for the hurdle step, push up, rotary stability or any of the Y-Balance Test reach scores (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Girls and boys of middle school age may exhibit different qualities of functional movements. Studies focused on improving functional movements in middle school aged children should consider these findings when developing interventions aimed at improving functional movements. Supported by the Welborn Baptist Foundation, Inc.