Do lower limb previous injuries affect balance performance? An observational study in volleyball players.

OBJECTIVES

To study static and dynamic postural balance control in elite and sub-elite male volleyball players with or without a history of musculoskeletal lower limb injuries.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Data were obtained from 45 male volleyball players, divided into healthy (CON, n = 28) and previously injured (INJ, n = 17) players by means of an injury self-reported questionnaire.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE

Static postural balance parameters were recorded carrying out a monopodalic test with the dominant leg on a stabilometric platform. Dynamic postural balance was assessed with the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) in its version based on three directions (anterior, postero-lateral and postero-medial).

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were detected between CON and INJ for all the static postural balance parameters considered. Conversely, the mSEBT results underlined a statistically significant decrease of the performance in the three directions (P < .001) for INJ with respect to CON.

CONCLUSIONS

The mSEBT should be employed in male volleyball players with a history of musculoskeletal lower limb injuries to better assess postural balance control alterations. Moreover, the decrement of the dynamic balance performance may indicate that, before returning to competitions, the rehabilitation protocol should be more focused on dynamic balance exercises.