Body balance and proprioception among different sport-skills

Balance is important not only to improve athletes performance, but also to guarantee an efficient lifestyle in daily activities for normal people(1). There are many clinical measure of balance abilities both in a static or dynamic way, but exist a simple test called “Y Balance Test” which requires proprioception,flexibility,strength and stability. This evaluation system is predictive of lower extremity injuries(2), and discriminating between athletes based on age and sport (3).The aim of this study was to compare balance abilities among 4 different categories of sport-skills: team sports(TS), water sports(WS), individual sport(IS) and sedentary(S). METHODS: 137 male volunteers who participated in agonistic competitions were recruited: TS (n=30), WS (n=24), IS (n=54), S (n=29). To assess dynamic balance, participants performed multidirectional maximal single-leg reaches in 3 directions with both legs: anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral. This procedure was replicate for 3 times and for each limb was measured the Composite Score with the following formula: (AD+PLD+PMD)/(3times limb length )*100. RESULTS: Observing the mean Composite Score with Right Leg, TS had an higher balance compared to WS(104.8%vs.83.4%)(p<0.05). IS was elevated with significant differences compared with other groups and S had a higher values from WS(102% vs.83.4%), but lower from S(102% vs.109%)(p<0.05). Considering Left Leg, TS had an higher mean value only with WS(106.4% vs. 83.4%) but not with other groups.WS was significantly different from all sports with the lowest mean Composite percentage(83.4%). In terms of dynamic balance, individual sports (IS) reached the maximum mean value, whereas water sports (WS) obtained the lowest one, owing to their cyclic movements; although S and TS express good proprioception abilities, team sports have a greater control, due to their opens-skill actions. Surprisingly the right leg had a better Composite Score among groups rather the left one, and it could be attributed to a different cross dominance between limbs. Probably the dominant leg is more stable and strength, so it produces an effective major balance. REFERENCES : (1)Judge JO.(2003).Am J Prev Med. Oct;25(3 Suppl 2),150-6. (2)Gribble PA, Hertel J, Plisky P. (2012). J Athl Train.47(3),339-57. (3)Thorpe JL, Ebersole KT. (2008).J Strength Cond Res.Sep;22(5),1429-33.ontrol.