Relationship Between the Kinematics of the Trunk and Lower Extremity and Performance on the Y-Balance Test

BackgroundThe lower quarter Y-balance test (YBT-LQ) has been recommended as a measure of dynamic postural control in the clinical setting; however, information about the relationship between performance on the YBT-LQ and joint kinematics is limited. Thus, the kinematic predictors responsible for performance on the YBT-LQ need to be identified for accurate evaluation of dynamic postural control.ObjectivesTo identify the kinematic predictors that best explain variance in performance on the YBT-LQ.DesignCross-sectional design.SettingUniversity motion analysis laboratory.ParticipantsThirty physically active participants.MethodsAll participants performed the YBT-LQ. The kinematics of the trunk and lower extremity at maximal reach in each direction of the YBT-LQ were monitored using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system.Main Outcome MeasurementsThe correlations between reach distance and joint kinematics were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient, and the best predictors of performance on the YBT-LQ were determined using a stepwise multiple regression analysis.ResultsAnkle dorsiflexion was the best single predictor of normalized reach in the anterior direction of the YBT-LQ (r2 = 0.50), and the combination of ankle dorsiflexion and trunk extension explained 65% of the variance in the anterior normalized reach. Hip flexion was the best single predictor of posteromedial (r2 = 0.60) and posterolateral (r2 = 0.71) normalized reaches of the YBT-LQ. The combination of hip flexion and ipsilateral trunk bending and the combination of hip flexion and contralateral trunk bending accounted for 69% and 80% of the variance in the posteromedial and posterolateral normalized reaches of the YBT-LQ, respectively.ConclusionsThese findings provide useful information on the relative contribution of joint kinematics to performance on the YBT-LQ when evaluating dynamic postural control.