Preseason to Postseason Changes on the BTrackS Force Plate in a Sample of College Athletes.

Abstract

Balance testing is a vital component in the evaluation and management of sport-related concussion. Few studies have examined the use of objective, low-cost, force-plate balance systems and changes in balance after a competitive season. To examine the extent of preseason versus postseason static balance changes using the Balance Tracking System (BTrackS) force plate in college athletes. Pretest, posttest design. Athletic training facility. A total of 47 healthy, Division-I student-athletes (33 males and 14 females; age 18.4 [0.5]y, height 71.8 [10.8]cm, weight 85.6 [21.7]kg) participated in this study. Total center of pressure path length was measured preseason and postseason using the BTrackS force plate. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was conducted to examine preseason and postseason changes. SEM and minimal detectable change were also calculated. There was a significant difference in center of pressure path length differed between preseason (24.6 [6.8]cm) and postseason (22.7 [5.4]cm) intervals (P = .03), with an SEM of 3.8cm and minimal detectable change of 10.5cm. Significant improvements occurred for center of pressure path length after a competitive season, when assessed using the BTrackS in a sample of college athletes. Further research is warranted to determine the effectiveness of the BTrackS as a reliable, low-cost alternative to force-plate balance systems. In addition, clinicians may need to update baseline balance assessments more frequently to account for improvements.