Quick on Your Feet: Modifying the Star Excursion Balance Test with a Cognitive Motor Response Time Task

Russell K. Lowell, Nathan O. Conner, Hunter Derby, Christopher M. Hill, Zachary M. Gillen, Reuben Burch, Adam C. Knight, Jennifer C. Reneker and Harish Chander ()
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Russell K. Lowell: Resistance Exercise Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
Nathan O. Conner: Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
Hunter Derby: Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
Christopher M. Hill: Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
Zachary M. Gillen: Resistance Exercise Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
Reuben Burch: Department of Industrial Systems and Engineering, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
Adam C. Knight: Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
Jennifer C. Reneker: Department of Population Health Sciences, John D. Bower School of Population Health, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
Harish Chander: Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-9

Abstract: The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is a common assessment used across clinical and research settings to test dynamic standing balance. The primary measure of this test is maximal reaching distance performed by the non-stance limb. Response time (RT) is a critical cognitive component of dynamic balance control and the faster the RT, the better the postural control and recovery from a postural perturbation. However, the measure of RT has not been done in conjunction with SEBT, especially with musculoskeletal fatigue. The purpose of this study is to examine RT during a SEBT, creating a modified SEBT (mSEBT), with a secondary goal to examine the effects of muscular fatigue on RT during SEBT. Sixteen healthy young male and female adults [age: 20 ± 1 years; height: 169.48 ± 8.2 cm; weight: 67.93 ± 12.7 kg] performed the mSEBT in five directions for three trials, after which the same was repeated with a response time task using Blazepod™ with a random stimulus. Participants then performed a low-intensity musculoskeletal fatigue task and completed the above measures again. A 2 × 2 × 3 repeated measures ANOVA was performed to test for differences in mean response time across trials, fatigue states, and leg reach as within-subjects factors. All statistical analyses were conducted in JASP at an alpha level of 0.05. RT was significantly faster over the course of testing regardless of reach leg or fatigue state ( p = 0.023). Trial 3 demonstrated significantly lower RT compared to Trial 1 ( p = 0.021). No significant differences were found between fatigue states or leg reach. These results indicate that response times during the mSEBT with RT is a learned skill that can improve over time. Future research should include an extended familiarization period to remove learning effects and a greater fatigue state to test for differences in RT during the mSEBT.

Keywords: star excursion balance test; response times; cognitive-motor task; balance assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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