Trunk Balance Evaluation in Adolescent Athletes and Gender Difference using the Dynamic Sitting Balance Device

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to quantitatively measure the trunk stability of adolescent athletes using a recently developed, plane-specific, dynamic trunk stability measuring device and to examine gender differences. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study to confirm the difference in dynamic trunk stability between male and female adolescent athletes ranging in age from 12 to 15 years. 15 adolescent athlete cohort was divided into 2 groups by gender. In the dynamic trunk balance evaluator that we developed, the seating surface can be vibrated at a constant cycle (0.2 Hz, 0.4 Hz, 0.6 Hz), the pressure of the seating surface under vibration is detected by three small force sensors installed under the seating surface, and the center of pressure (COP) can be calculated. Measurements were performed for 30 s by one examiner, and each participant was measured three times after two practice attempts. While the seating surface was swaying, the participant's gaze was fixed to a mark about 1 cm in diameter set at a position 2 m in front of the participant at eye height, and the participant was asked to maintain the position of the head constant. The fluctuation of the center of gravity on the seat surface over time was measured, and the total trajectory length of the COP was used as the evaluation item. Results: There were no adverse events during measurement. The results for the total COP trajectory length of male was 2365 ± 176 mm, and that of female was 2674 ± 293 mm. There were significant differences between the male and female groups. In particular, Adolescent female athletes had less dynamic trunk stability in the coronal plane. Conclusion: Adolescent female athletes had less dynamic trunk stability in the coronal plane than their male counterparts. The recently developed device may be a useful tool for assessing the effects of prevention programs on dynamic core stability.