Comparison of Static and Dynamic Balance in Different Athletes

Balance is a key component of motor skills ranging from maintaining posture to
executing complex sport skills. The aim of this study was to compare static and
dynamic balance in athletes of gymnastic, soccer, basketball, swimming and nonathletes.
40 female athletes with five years of athletic experience ( gymnasts: n=10,
age 14.50±0.31 years, height 155.20±7.75 cm, mass 49.70±3.91 kg, soccer players:
n=10, age 22.80±1.45 years, height 160.60±5.12cm, mass 52.95±4.87kg,
basketball players: n=10, age 21.60±1.07 years, height 165.5± 6.75 cm, mass
57.43±6.27 kg), swimmers: n=10, age 23.30±1.63 years, height 163.5±5.46 cm, mass
55.50±4.42 kg) and 10 female non-athletes (n = 10, age 23.70±0.94 years, height
161.40±3.27 cm, mass 54.60±3.54 kg and without athletic experience) participated in
this study. Static balance was assessed using the balance error scoring system
(BESS) and dynamic balance was assessed using the star excursion balance test
(SEBT). Data were analyzed by ANOVA test (p?0.05). BESS error scores for the
gymnastics group were significantly lower than the swimming group and nonathlete
group. These scores in the soccer group were lower than swimming group
(p?0.05). Star excursion balance test scores were higher in the gymnastics group
than the basketball group and non-athlete group and in the soccer group than nonathlete
group (p?0.05). It was observed that swimmers enjoyed lower static
balance and basketball players enjoyed lower dynamic balance; this may be a
strong predictor of future ankle sprains. Therefore, athletic trainers and coaches
are advised to perform regular screening programs using balance test of BESS and
SEBT, and to assess the athletes’ balance so that they can recognize those with
poor balance.