THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STAR EXCURSION BALANCE TEST AND LOWER EXTREMITY STRENGTH, RANGE OF MOTION AND ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS

Objective: To consider the relationship between hip muscles strength, anthropometric characteristics and range of motion (ROM) with Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), a test of dynamic postural control. Methods: Forty seven persons (23 male, 24 female) volunteered for this study. Maximal Voluntary Contraction (MVC) of hip muscles measured by Manual Muscle Test (MMT). Participants performed 3 trials of the SEBT in each of the 8 directions. Results: No statistically significant relationship were found between ROM with execution distances (P > 0.05). Significant correlations were revealed between height and excursion distance and leg length and excursion distance with leg length having the stronger correlation (P ≤ 0.05). Significant differences were found between excursion distances and hip muscle strength (P ≤ 0.05). Male had significantly greater excursion distances than female participants in posteriomedial, posterior and medial directions (P ≤ 0.006). However, after normalizing excursion distances to leg length, there were no significant differences related to gender. Conclusion: In conclusion, when using the SEBT for assessment balance, participants’ execution distances should be normalized to leg length and lower extremity strength to diminish individual and gender differences.