Star excursion balance test scores under different conditions: Effects of arms position and shoe-wear.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of arms position (arms free or hands on the hips) and shoe-wear (with or without athletic shoe) on star excursion balance test (SEBT) scores in healthy physically active individuals. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Fifty-one participants [Age: 22.74 ± 1.93 years; Body Mass Index: 22.52 ± 2.29 kg/m2] were included in the study. The anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM) and posterolateral (PL) reach directions of the SEBT were performed under four conditions in a randomized order. Within session reliability analysis was performed for each test condition. The composite (COMP) score was calculated as the average of the normalized scores of anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral reach distances. Repeated measures of ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The ANT and PM reach distances and the composite (COMP) score were found greater with shoes (ANT p = 0.004; PM p < 0.001; COMP p < 0.001). However, the difference in the scores with shoes conditions did not exceed the measurement error. On the other hand, PM and PL reach distances and the COMP score were greater with arms free conditions and the difference in the scores exceeded the measurement error. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that the differences in the SEBT procedure should be taken into account when comparing the outcomes of different studies. In addition, measurement error values should be considered while interpreting the change in repeated measures of SEBT scores.

Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Knee Muscle Strength After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Critically Appraised Topic.

Clinical Scenario: Knee muscle strength weakness after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is the most commonly seen impairment. Whole-body vibration (WBV) training has been shown to improve muscle strength in both healthy and injured individuals. However, it is not clear yet if WBV training has a beneficial effect in knee muscle strength recovery after ACL reconstruction. Clinical Question: Is adding WBV training to conventional rehabilitation more effective than conventional rehabilitation at improving quadriceps and hamstring muscles strength in individuals who have undergone ACL reconstruction? Summary of Key Findings: After the literature was reviewed, 4 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and were included in this critically appraised topic. Clinical Bottom Line: There is moderate- to high-quality evidence to support that adding WBV to conventional rehabilitation programs can result in better improvement in knee muscle strength after ACL reconstruction. Strength of Recommendation: Findings from 4 randomized controlled trials indicate that there is level B evidence supporting that WBV is effective for knee muscle strength recovery in patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction.