593 MEP156 – A new balancing act needed? Differences in balance ability between male and female youth soccer players measured by inertial measurement units

AbstractBackground Poor balance may result in an elevated risk for lower extremity injuries in soccer. Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) have not been used to study postural sway in youth soccer, but this may be a novel testing procedure to better inform training/prevention strategies.Objective To investigate single-limb balance performance in female and male youth soccer players by using wearable IMUs to measure postural sway.Design Prospective cohort study.Setting Canadian youth soccer.Participants Post-season (Test 1) and pre-season (Test 2) balance tests were performed by 27 healthy players (n=15 male, n= 12 female) aged 15–18 years, from four elite youth teams.Assessment of Risk Factors A mixed-effects multiple linear regression was used to explore the risk factors of sex, player height, and years of experience. Nested models were compared using the likelihood ratio test.Main Outcome Measures IMUs were mounted on participants' lower back (L4 region) and non-dominant leg (tibia). Anterior-posterior and medial-lateral root mean squared sway acceleration (RMS; m/s2), mean sway velocity (MSV; m/s), and total-sway path length (TSPL; m) were collected while participants maintained a 20 second single-leg balance on a balance pad.Results Variability in RMS anterior-posterior (0.51 m/s2, 95% CI 0.23–0.79, p<0.0001) and RMS medial-lateral (0.25 m/s2, 95% CI 0.22–0.28, p=0.0004) were accounted for by sex. Females also displayed increased TSPL back compared to males (0.18 m, 95% CI 0.02–0.33, p=0.0261). No differences by participant height or years of playing experience were observed.Conclusions This study observed a wearable technique to measure postural sway. Youth female soccer players may use a balance technique that results in a larger back TSPL compared to males. Additional studies to determine the balance techniques used by females and males. Use of IMUs facilitate novel measurement of balance performance, and may be used to inform strategies that can prevent injuries.