Sex Differences in Frontal and Transverse Plane Hip and Knee Kinematics during the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test

Purpose. The modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) assesses dynamic neuromuscular control, with predictive ability regarding lower extremity injury risk. Previous kinematic mSEBT analyses are limited to sex differences between injured or fatigued populations or non-fatigued groups in the sagittal plane only. We hypothesize that sex differences exist in the frontal and transverse plane kinematics of the hip and knee in healthy, non-fatigued subjects during the mSEBT. Methods. The descriptive laboratory study involved 38 healthy subjects: 20 males (aged 24.8 ± 2.7 years) and 18 females (24.1 ± 3.7 years). Peak kinematics, obtained by a VICON motion system, of the hip and knee in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse plane were compared during the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral reach of the mSEBT. Wilcoxon rank test with significant differences at p < 0.05 was used. Results. Kinematic differences existed between the groups in the frontal and transverse plane of the hip and knee in all reach directions (p < 0.05). No differences were found in the sagittal plane of the hip or knee between the groups. Conclusions. Sex differences exist in frontal and transverse plane kinematics of the hip and knee during the mSEBT. The mSEBT may be enhanced as an injury prediction tool, if frontal and transverse plane kinematics were included during risk assessment screening.