Relationship Between the Y-Balance Test and Lower Extremity Strength and Mobility in Collegiate Lacrosse Players *1
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S. Kane, D. Saldutti , L. Bernardi , D. Melgar , R. Gerland , J. Ghigiarelli , Gonzalez, A , B. Deveaux , K. Shaver ,K. Sell 1
Human Performance Laboratory, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
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Department of Athletics, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
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*Denotes student author, ‡Denotes professional author
Introduction
Results
Discussion
Lacrosse players must make quick directional changes, often on one leg while under force, as is evident with the pro-agility test being a common assessment for lacrosse players [1]. This demands strength, mobility, and motor control throughout the kinetic chain demonstrated in weaving drills to build these attributes in the off-season [2, 3]. The Y-Balance test (YBT) has been used to gauge motor control and balance in athletes. Balance has been associated with neuromuscular performance, mobility, and proprioception. However, there can be new connections made between the Y-Balance test and spine mobility, and the movement relationship between the hip and spine [4].
● YBT-R (but not YBT-L) was significantly correlated with TS-AR to the right and left. (r = 0.41 and r = 0.31, p < 0.05) ● YBT-R (but not YBT-L) was significantly correlated with the sit-and-reach test (r = 0.28, p < 0.05) ● Both YBT-R and YBT-L were significantly correlated with hip ROM on the right only. ● Both YBT-R and YBT-L were significantly correlated but with both right and left ankle dorsiflexion (p < 0.05).
Limitations to this study include the differentiation between active and passive range of hip motion, (AROM and PROM respectively). PROM requires less proprioception and motor control while AROM is a better reflection of repeated movement patterns [5]. Repeated movement patterns are more reflective of how athletes may move in higher pressure situations because AROM is built through past experiences and familiarity [5]. Future research is needed in regards to hip and ankle AROM and balance, stability, and proprioception and their correlations to strength, flexibility, and mobility. Additional research into how these factors are affected by fatigue should be investigated. Player load (a sum of instantaneous rate of change in the x, y, and z axis), decreases over the course of the game, and midfielders specifically cover the most player load throughout a game [3].
Methods Fifty-two Division I male lacrosse players (age: 20 ± 1.6 y; height: 182.0 ± 6.3 cm; weight: 83.2 ± 6.0 kg) performed a battery of tests during student athlete testing at the beginning of the fall semester. ● YBT including measures of leg length to determine a composite score for the right and left leg (YBT-R and YBT-L, respectively). ● Thoracic spine active rotation (TS-AR), passive rotation (TS-PR). ● Hip range of motion (ROM), sum of internal and external rotation, for each limb was measured with a goniometer. ● Ankle dorsiflexion was assessed using a clinometer instrument. ● Hip abduction (ABD) and adduction (ADD) strength was measured using a dynamometer and calculated relative to body weight. ● Hamstring flexibility was measured using the sit-and-reach test. All players were cleared for testing by the team physician and had no current LE injury precluding them from participating. Descriptive statistics were calculated as mean ± standard deviation and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.
References 1. Calder, A. R. (2018). Physical profiling in lacrosse: a brief review. Sport Sciences for Health, 14(3), 475–483.
Conclusion YBT scores on the right and left side were related to thoracic spine, hip, and ankle mobility, but not to hip ADD and ABD strength in collegiate male lacrosse players. Hip rotation measures could reflect capabilities for single-leg balance, stability, and proprioception and could improve YBT performance, however further research incorporating alternative LE strength measures is recommended.
2. Pistilli, E. E., Ginther, G., & Larsen, J. (2008). Sport-Specific Strength-Training Exercises for the Sport of Lacrosse. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 30(4), 31–38. 3. Polley, C. S., Cormack, S. J., Gabbett, T. J., & Polglaze, T. (2015). Activity Profile of High-Level Australian Lacrosse Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29(1), 126–136. 4. Chairat Phuaklikhit, Thanwarat Junsri, & Usa Maikaew. (2023). The correlation of centre of mass evaluation utilising accelerometry-based measurement and the clinical dynamic balance test in professional football athletes with chronic ankle instability. Heliyon, 9(6), e17318–e17318. 5. Moreside, J. M., Barbado, D., Casto Juan-Recio, & Vera-García, F. J. (2013). Active hip and spine ROM differs when comparing unconstrained motion with voluntary segmental constraint. Manual Therapy.
Acknowledgements: We would like to thank the Hofstra Men’s Lacrosse players and coaches for participating in this research. Along with this, we would like to thank the Hofstra University Sports Medicine staff for their assistance in administering the exercise testing used in this research. Finally, we would like to thank Evan Bernstein for the picture used on this poster.