Intrinsic and extrinsic variables impacting upper quarter Y-balance test scores in sporting cohorts: A systematic review

Steele, Charlotte; Valentin, Stephanie

Abstract

Introduction
The upper quarter y-balance test (YBT-UQ) is a functional screening tool used to detect musculoskeletal injury risk, aid rehabilitation, and monitor dynamic function, strength and control, yet little is currently known about intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence reach scores.

Objectives
This systematic review aimed to determine if age, sex, or interventions influenced reach scores and whether between-limb differences were common in non-injured sporting populations, with a secondary aim to identify if sport impacted YBT-UQ reach.

Methods
Web of Science, PubMed, and SportDiscus were systematically searched from January 2012 to November 16, 2023, revealing twenty-three studies satisfying inclusion criteria of published in English between 2012 and 2023, healthy participants of any age including both males and females, athletic populations, YBT-UQ use to assess upper limb mobility/stability, report normalised reach scores, and peer-reviewed full-texts. Methodological quality was evaluated via National Institutes of Health (NIH) quality assessment tools for controlled interventions, observational cohort and cross-sectional designs, and pre-post with no control group.

Results
Age, sex, sport, and fatigue were influencing factors; greater reach scores were achieved in older athletes (i.e. >18 years), males, and in a well-rested state. Between-limb differences were not common in sporting populations; therefore, asymmetries may be useful for practitioners to aid injury risk identification.

Conclusion
This is the first systematic review investigating YBT-UQ influencing factors and thereby provides context for clinicians regarding characteristics that impact reach scores in sporting populations, from which normative values could be determined and further aid clinical decisions or areas to improve regarding injury risk.

Citation

Steele, C., & Valentin, S. (in press). Intrinsic and extrinsic variables impacting upper quarter Y-balance test scores in sporting cohorts: A systematic review. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.02.043

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 25, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Mar 2, 2024
• Deposit Date: Mar 5, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 5, 2024
• Print ISSN: 1360-8592
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.02.043
• Keywords: stability, mobility, functional screening, performance, athletic populations
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/3531017