Test of Intrarater and Interrater Reliability for the Star Excursion Balance Test

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the intrarater and interrater reliability of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), thereby increasing understanding of its efficient utilization. [Subjects and Methods] There were 67 subjects (49 female; 18 male). For the SEBT, eight lines were made using tape at 45-degree angles from the center of a circle. The experiment was conducted in the following order: the anterior, anterior-medial, medial, posterior-medial, posterior, posterior-lateral, lateral, and anterior-lateral directions. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) (3,1) were used to evaluate the intrarater and interrater reliability (2,1) for each reach distance, while the standard error of measurement (SEM) and smallest detectable distance (SDD) were employed to assess absolute reliability. [Results] For intraratar reliability, the ICC values for all directions ranged from 0.88 to 0.96, SEM values ranged from 2.41 to 3.30, and SDD values ranged from 6.68 to 9.15. For interrater reliability, the ICC values for all directions ranged from 0.83 to 0.93, SEM values ranged from 3.19 to 4.26, and SDD values ranged from 8.85 to 11.82 [Conclusion] The SEBT is a highly reliable tool for measuring dynamic balance. Measurements for intrarater reliability are more reliable than measurements for interrater reliability. When measurement for eight directions was difficult, the SEBT was used. While the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions employed in the Y Balance Test KitTM can be utilized, this study recommends using the reverse Y Balance Test KitTM method with the posterior direction, not the anterior direction.

Reliability and Validity of the Hand Reach Star Excursion Balance Test

“…Based on our findings and clinical experience we recommend 5 cm in flexion and 7 cm in lateral and extension movement patterns as a clinically meaningful difference. These values are comparable to what has been reported for the SEBT (5-7 cm) [23], while others have found slightly greater values [24]. In their discussion, Munro and co-workers argue that an MDC of 5-7 cm (6-8% of leg length) puts into question previously established side differences of 4.2 cm and 2-5% in patients with and without chronic ankle instability (CAI) [23], as well as the 4 cm SEBT side difference used to determine risk of lower extremity injury in high school basketball players [25].…”

“…Furthermore, the inter-rater reliability of the HSEBT was high, with ICC values ranging from 0.90 to 0.98. FR inter-rater ICC values between 0.73 and 0.98 have been reported [22,27,28], while SEBT values range from 0.81 to 0.93 [21,24,26,29]. Even though our ICC results showed high HSEBT inter-rater reliability, the repeated measure ANOVA results suggested that in five of the 20 tests at least one rater differed systematically from the other raters ( Table 2).…”

“…Upper quarter Y balance tests and the multi-directional reach tests were found to range from 0.80 to 0.99 [19] and 0.93 to 0.95 [13], respectively. SEBT ICC test-retest values range from 0.84 to 0.98 [23][24][25][26]. Furthermore, the inter-rater reliability of the HSEBT was high, with ICC values ranging from 0.90 to 0.98.…”

Star Excursion Balance Test Anterior Asymmetry Is Associated With Injury Status in Division I Collegiate Athletes

“…Accuracy was defined as recording distances within 6% of the certified athletic trainer's measurements, in accordance with previously published standard detectable differences for the SEBT. 16,21 The interrater reliability of measuring SEBT reach distances in the anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial directions has been shown to be highly reliable, 13 and interrater reliability at our facility also was high (intraclass correlation coefficient model 2,1 greater than 0.92 for all directions). 27 Reach distances were normalized to the respective stance-limb length.…”

Physical and functional outcomes following multidisciplinary residential rehabilitation for prearthritic hip pain among young active UK military personnel

“…Scores for all three movements were combined to provide a single composite measure of dynamic balance. The test is a highly reliable tool to measure dynamic balance, 25 and is currently used by the UK military. Occupational employability was assessed using the functional activity assessment (FAA).…”