Research article - (2018)17, 174 - 180
Reliability of Single-Leg Balance and Landing Tests in Rugby Union; Prospect of Using Postural Control to Monitor Fatigue
Jordan C. Troester1,2,, Jason G. Jasmin1,2, Rob Duffield2
1High Performance Department, NSW Waratahs Rugby, NSW, Australia
2Sport and Exercise Discipline Group, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia

Jordan C. Troester
✉ High Performance Department, NSW Waratahs Rugby, NSW, Australia
Email: jordan.troester@gmail.com
Received: 27-11-2017 -- Accepted: 06-02-2018
Published (online): 14-05-2018

ABSTRACT

The present study examined the inter-trial (within test) and inter-test (between test) reliability of single-leg balance and single-leg landing measures performed on a force plate in professional rugby union players using commercially available software (SpartaMARS, Menlo Park, USA). Twenty-four players undertook test – re-test measures on two occasions (7 days apart) on the first training day of two respective pre-season weeks following 48h rest and similar weekly training loads. Two 20s single-leg balance trials were performed on a force plate with eyes closed. Three single-leg landing trials were performed by jumping off two feet and landing on one foot in the middle of a force plate 1m from the starting position. Single-leg balance results demonstrated acceptable inter-trial reliability (ICC = 0.60-0.81, CV = 11-13%) for sway velocity, anterior-posterior sway velocity, and mediolateral sway velocity variables. Acceptable inter-test reliability (ICC = 0.61-0.89, CV = 7-13%) was evident for all variables except mediolateral sway velocity on the dominant leg (ICC = 0.41, CV = 15%). Single-leg landing results only demonstrated acceptable inter-trial reliability for force based measures of relative peak landing force and impulse (ICC = 0.54-0.72, CV = 9-15%). Inter-test results indicate improved reliability through the averaging of three trials with force based measures again demonstrating acceptable reliability (ICC = 0.58-0.71, CV = 7-14%). Of the variables investigated here, total sway velocity and relative landing impulse are the most reliable measures of single-leg balance and landing performance, respectively. These measures should be considered for monitoring potential changes in postural control in professional rugby union.

Key words: Time to stabilization, sway velocity, peak force, relative impulse, sensorimotor control

Key Points
  • Single-leg balance demonstrated acceptable inter-trial and inter-test reliability.
  • Single-leg landing demonstrated good inter-trial and inter-test reliability for measures of relative peak landing force and relative impulse, but not time to stabilization.
  • Of the variables investigated, sway velocity and relative landing impulse are the most reliable measures of single-leg balance and landing respectively, and should considered for monitoring changes in postural control.








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