Abstract
Background: While cross-country running is a popular interscholastic sport, it also has a high incidence of running-related injuries (RRIs). Recent literature suggests that functional tests may identify athletes at increased risk of injury. The Y-Balance Test (YBT) is an objective measure used to assess functional muscle strength, balance, and expose asymmetries between tested limbs. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine if the YBT could predict RRI in high school cross-country run-ners. It was hypothesized that an asymmetric right (R)/left (L) YBT reach distance for the lower or upper extremities would be associated with an increased risk of RRI. Study Design: Prospective observational cohort Methods: One hundred forty-eight athletes (80 girls, 68 boys) who competed in interscholastic cross-country in Southern California during the 2015 season participated in the study. Prior to the cross-country season, the runners completed Lower-Quarter YBT (LQ-YBT) and Upper-Quarter YBT (UQ-YBT) testing to assess lower and upper extremity asymmetry, respectively. The runners were prospectively monitored for RRI occurrence throughout the season using the Daily Injury Report form. Results: Forty-nine runners (33.1%) incurred a RRI during the 2015 season, with the lower leg (shin/calf) and knee the most com-mon RRI sites. Girls had a higher RRI occurrence (38.8%) than boys (26.5%) (p=0.12). Boys had greater raw scores for LQ-YBT R and L anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM), posterolateral (PM) and composite reach distances than girls (p<0.05). With the excep-tion of normalized superolateral reach distance, boys had significantly greater scores for raw and normalized R and L UQ-YBT reach distances and raw composite scores than girls (p<0.05). After adjusting for prior RRI, while boy runners with a LQ-YBT PM reach difference ≥4.0 cm were five times more likely to incur a RRI (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=5.05, 95% CI: 1.3-19.8; p=0.02), girl runners with a UQ-YBT inferolateral (IL) reach difference ≥4.0 cm were 75% less likely to incur a RRI (AOR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.1-0.7; p=0.005). By lower extremity body region, boy runners with a UQ-YBT superolateral (SL) reach difference ≥4.0 cm were seven times more likely to incur a hip/thigh/knee RRI [AOR]=7.20, 95% CI: 1.1-45.6; p=0.002). Conclusion: Greater lower extremity (PM) or upper extremity (SL) reach distance asymmetry, as measured by the LQ-YBT or UQ-YBT, respectively, were associated with RRI in boy high school cross-country runners.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 695-706 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2019 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Asymmetry
- cross-country
- high school
- prospective
- running-related injury
- Y-Balance Test
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation