Y balance test (YBT)

A functional test used to evaluate the dynamic balance, postural control and functional performance of the lower limbs from the sliding movement of one leg.

YBT is a simplified version of the Star Excursion Balance Test, whose modification involves analyzing the performance in only 3 of the 8 original directions: one, anterior; and the other two, aligned at 135º in the posterolateral and posteromedial directions respectively.

For the performance of the test, three lines of tape were placed on the floor. Participants were asked to move from an initial double-leg stance to single-leg stance while maximally reaching the multidirectional lines set with the opposite leg and lightly touching the tape with the distal end of the reaching foot, without compromising balance. The participants were barefoot to perform the test. The distance reached by the moving leg in the three dimensions was collected, and the balance score was calculated based on the sum of the three. The difference between the scores obtained for each leg was also calculated and expressed as a percentage.

The adapted YBT based on the original Star Excursion Balance Test appears as a simpler tool for evaluating functional performance and balance, while replicating the validity and reliability of the test²². In addition, the YBT has been used previously in other studies on basketball players²³.