Assessment of lower extremity functional performance in young male volleyball athletes

Aim This study aimed to investigate lower limbs' functional performance in young male volleyball athletes. Methods Seventeen young male volleyball athletes, ages 15-17, performed weight bearing lunge test (WBLT) and the Y-balance test (YBT). Results There were no differences between the limbs in the analyses for WBLT and in all performance scores evaluated by YBT. However, the mean values of the YBT's composite score were decreased compared to normative values and the correlations between WBLT and YBT presented weak values in almost all analyses. Conclusion Overall, functional symmetries between the limbs indicate low risk of lower limbs injury; results can be explained by the short period of practice. However, YBT's composite score below the recommended values, suggests a neuromuscular training program. Finally, the weak correlations between WBLT and YBT indicate the necessity of performing both tests to have a more effective functional evaluation.