Work Type

Poster

Date

2015

Faculty Advisor

Ann Wilson

Language

English

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether the kicking leg or stance leg as determined by the Ball Kicking test results in a longer unipedal stance time as determined by the UPST.

Subjects: Forty-two healthy subjects (13 male, 29 female, mean age 26) with no history of lower limb pathology or balance impairments.

Materials and Methods: Subjects completed the Ball Kicking test and three trials of the UPST in a single session.

Results: UPST times were compared between the best trials of the stance and kicking legs with a significant difference found. Fifty percent of participants (21/42) maintained longer single limb stance times on the stance leg, as determined by the Ball Kicking test.

Conclusions: This study suggests that young, healthy adults demonstrated a selective limb preference for stability tasks compared to mobility tasks related to improved stability and control. The stance limb, as determined by the Ball Kicking test, may be more adept at static balance compared to the kicking limb, which may challenge the currently-utilized concept of leg dominance.

Clinical Relevance: While it is widely assumed that the leg a person kicks with may be more proficient for functional activities that require strength, speed, and coordination activities, this study shows that the stance leg is actually more proficient during a static balance activity such as standing on one leg. This suggests the Ball Kicking test may be used to determine mobility and stability legs when teaching or performing functional activities such as a step-to pattern ascending and descending stairs.

Publisher

University of Puget Sound

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