Comparison of dynamic balance indicators using the Star Excursion Balance Test method in men of various types of martial arts with left- and right-sided motor asymmetry
Authors:   Lviv State University of Physical Culture named after Ivan Boberski, Ukraine, Nikitenko Serhii 
Published: November 2024

Purpose: to perform a comparison of the Star Excursion Balance Test indicators in men of various types of martial arts with left- and right-sided motor asymmetry. Material and methods. The results of the study were obtained at the Ivan Boberskyi Lviv State University of Physical Culture at the Department of Fencing, Boxing and National Martial Arts in the period October-December 2023. Qualified male martial artists aged 18-22 in the number of 84 participated in the collection of experimental material: 11 representatives WKF karate (including 1 left-hander), 12 members of fencing (including 2 left-handers), 9 representatives of hopak hand-to-hand combat (including 1 left-hander), 31 representatives of boxing (including 12 left-handers), 21 representatives of Kyokushinkai karate (among whom there was 1 left-handed person). Research methods: analysis of literary sources and materials from the Internet; survey (questionnaire); measurement of anthropometric indicators of athletes (height, body weight, length of arms and legs); measurement of Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT); methods of mathematical statistics. Results: right-handed martial artists (n=67) had an anthropometric advantage over left-handed martial artists (n=17): height – 178.1 cm versus 177,5 cm, respectively, body weight – 70,9 kg versus 66,8 kg, length arms – 76,7 cm vs. 73,9 cm (P<0,05), leg length – 95,0 cm vs. 91,8 cm. Comparison of SEBT indicators revealed: left-handed group has better SEBT indicators in almost all positions, as on the left side of the body, as well as on the right. When comparing indicators of all 8 positions of SEBT of the left leg in right-handed and left-handed players, it was found that left-handed players had significantly (P<0,05) better indicators in positions 6 and 7. Left-handed martial artists demonstrated significantly (P<0,05) the best SEBT indicators in positions 6, 7, 8 of the right leg than right-handed martial artists. SEBT indicators of both right and left arms showed that positions 7, 8 of both left and right arms were significantly (P<0,05) better than those of right-handers. A separate phenomenal result is the specificity of passing the SEBT test by left-handed athletes: their results are significantly (P<0,05) better in the most difficult positions – 6, 7, 8, and in each of the four limbs of the body, regardless of motor asymmetry. Conclusions. The results of the work demonstrated phenomenal SEBT indicators in left-handed martial artists, compared to right-handed martial artists. This phenomenon is observed in all SEBT indicators of the lower and upper limbs of the left and right sides of the body: indicators of all SEBT positions in left-handed athletes are better than in right-handed athletes. Lefties reliably dominate in the most difficult positions of the test – 6, 7, 8, both in the girdle of the upper limbs and in the balance and flexibility of the lower limbs, regardless of asymmetry. This phenomenon is observed against the background of left-handed athletes lagging behind right-handed athletes according to anthropometric indicators. In view of the above, we assume that left-handed athletes have special properties of neuromuscular activity that require special in-depth research.