Effects of previous injury and pain on range of motion in the lower extremities and the Y-balance test
Romie Llewellyn, Katherine Blain
Clinicians use assessments to determine how a load compromised athlete can withstand additional stress within the compromised joint to decide their capability of returning to play. One such assessment that demonstrates how load compromised athletes are affected is the Y-Balance Test (YBT). The Y-Balance Test assesses dynamic postural control and has also been found significant in predicting lower-limb injury risk amongst athletes. Many professional experiments and studies reveal that the YBT is affected by hip rotational range of motion and dorsiflexion range of motion as athletes utilize single limb support to balance in three directions, anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to examine the effects of how injury history and pain impact ankle and hip range of motion and Y-Balance Test performance. The population will include active collegiate athletes separated into a control and experimental group. Athletes will be selected for the experimental group if they experience current pain or have experienced previous injury within the lower extremity, which prevented participation in athletic events. Hip and ankle range of motion will be measured using a digital inclinometer with previously established protocol. Once range of motion has been determined, participants will perform the YBT with 3 trials for each limb in the anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial directions. Trials in each direction will be averaged and analyzed, using a one-way MANOVA. We hypothesize that injury and/or pain in the lower extremities will be associated with limited rotational range of motion in the hip, ankle dorsiflexion, and lower performance on the YBT.
Romie Llewellyn is a junior majoring in exercise science with a minor in chemistry at Lander University. She is a member of the Lander Women’s Soccer team and Honors College. Romie is planning to graduate May of 2025 and further her education in grad school in hopes of becoming a physician’s assistant. She hopes this research aids clinicians in their knowledge of effects of injuries on an athlete's range of motion.
Katherine Blain is a sophomore exercise science student at Lander University and is a member of the Lander Women’s Soccer team and Honors College. Katherine plans to graduate in May of 2026 and attend graduate school for Occupational Therapy. She hopes this research will aid in the future understanding and treatment of athletes who experience lower limb injuries and pain due to their sport.