title: Y-balance test: a reliability study involving multiple raters.
abstract: The Y-balance test (YBT) is one of the few field expedient tests that have shown predictive validity for injury risk in an athletic population. However, analysis of the YBT in a heterogeneous population of active adults (e.g., military, specific occupations) involving multiple raters with limited experience in a mass screening setting is lacking. The primary purpose of this study was to determine interrater test-retest reliability of the YBT in a military setting using multiple raters. Sixty-four service members (53 males, 11 females) actively conducting military training volunteered to participate. Interrater test-retest reliability of the maximal reach had intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1) of 0.80 to 0.85 with a standard error of measurement ranging from 3.1 to 4.2 cm for the 3 reach directions (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral). Interrater test-retest reliability of the average reach of 3 trails had an intraclass correlation coefficients (2,3) range of 0.85 to 0.93 with an associated standard error of measurement ranging from 2.0 to 3.5cm. The YBT showed good interrater test-retest reliability with an acceptable level of measurement error among multiple raters screening active duty service members. In addition, 31.3% (n = 20 of 64) of participants exhibited an anterior reach asymmetry of >4cm, suggesting impaired balance symmetry and potentially increased risk for injury.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, ATTN: MCCS-HGP, 3599 Winfield Scott Road, Suite 1301, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6138.
authors.forename: Scott W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Shaffer
authors.forename: Deydre S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Teyhen
authors.forename: Chelsea L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lorenson
authors.forename: Rick L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Koreerat
authors.forename: Crystal A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Straseske
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Childs
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult