Dynamic Standing Balance Is A Predictor Of Acute Lower Extremity Injury In Male And Female Intercollegiate Soccer Players

Introduction: The lower extremity is the most frequently injured body part in men's and women's intercollegiate soccer. Approximately 70% of all game and practice injuries occur to the lower extremity. Evidence suggests that dynamic standing balance, prior lower extremity injury, and limb dominance may be predictive of lower extremity injury in this population of soccer players. The intent of this study was to develop prediction models for lower extremity injury in male and female intercollegiate soccer players using a field-based test of dynamic standing balance, in conjunction with determining the predictive capability of prior lower extremity injury and limb dominance.;Method: One hundred intercollegiate soccer players had their dynamic standing balance tested using the YBT prior to the start of the 2010 soccer season. Data on limb dominance and prior lower extremity injuries was also collected. Acute time loss lower extremity injuries were recorded over the course of the season. Right and left reach distances from all three directions of the YBT, as well as composite reach distance, were normalized to leg length. Candidate predictors were analyzed using a logistic regression analysis.;Results: There were 11 lower extremity injuries. Logistic regression analysis revealed that anterior reach distance difference was a significant predictor of lower extremity injury in male and female players. Male and female intercollegiate soccer players whose anterior reach distance difference was ≥ 4.0 cm were 5.8 times more likely to sustain a lower extremity injury. Sensitivity and specificity were 0.73 and 0.69 respectively. Positive and negative likelihood ratios were 2.4 and 0.39 respectively. Prior lower extremity injury and limb dominance were not significant predictors of injury.;Implications: The YBT may be a useful screening test for identifying intercollegiate soccer players at an increased risk for lower extremity injury. The YBT assesses a domain of balance that underpins athletic activity. The YBT has excellent rater reliability, and can be easily incorporated into pre-season participation physicals.