The ability of modified star excursion balance test to differentiate between women athletes with and without chronic ankle instability

The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is one functional clinical test that widely used to assess dynamic balance in patients with ankle injuries. Since the ability of this test to detect impairments between athletes with and without chronic ankle instability(CAI) is not clear, the aim of present study was to determine if the modified SEBT could detect reach deficits in patients with unilateral CAI. A convenience sample of thirty elite and sub elite women athletes were selected and assigned into two groups: CAI group (Mean +/- SD: age: 25 +/- 3.5 years; height: 1.68 +/- 0.09 m; weight: 62.7 +/- 7.3kg), and healthy controls (Mean +/- SD: age: 26 +/- 4.2 years; height: 1.69 +/- 0.05 m; weight: 62.7 +/- 7.3 kg). The dynamic balance test was obtained using modified SEBT from both limbs of each participant. The independent sample t-test was used for both between group and within group inter-limb comparisons. There was no significant difference in any directions of modified SEBT between two groups in both limbs. No significant inter-limb differences were also observed within both groups. The modified SEBT may not enough sensitive to differentiate between athletes with and without CAI. Other factors such as ankle range of motion, muscle strength and pain intensity should be considered for better interpretation of the SEBT results.