Time-of-day influence on the stability Evaluation Test in college-age women

Abstract

Postural control is impaired following a concussion and is 1 diagnostic method used by medical professionals for return-to-play decisions in potentially concussed athletes. Circadian rhythm (time-of-day) affects human function, including postural control. This research investigated time-of-day influence on 1 postural control diagnostic protocol, the Stability Evaluation Test (SET) on a Neurocom Balance Master. The Georgia Gwinnett College Institutional Review Board approved this research protocol. The research participants were 9 healthy women with an average age of 20.4 years, height of 165.8 cm, and weight of 65.3 kg. The participants completed the SET in the morning (between 7:00 am and 10:00 am) for 1 treatment and in the evening (between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm) for the other treatment. A SET familiarization session was completed, and treatment order was randomized and balanced to attempt to account for order effects. Average postural sway velocity for each of the 6 SET conditions were compared between times of day. There was less postural sway during the morning testing for all conditions, reaching statistical significance (p < 0.05) for 2 of the more challenging balance conditions (Foam Double Leg and Foam Tandem) as well as for the overall SET composite score. While greater sample size, age and gender range are needed, these results may begin to inform practitioners as to the importance of controlling time-of-day between baseline and post-injury testing which may enable more accurate and reliable return-to-play decisions.