Lower limb dynamic stability in professional hockey players

Abstract

Introduction. Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports that constitutes a physically demanding intermittent type of physical activity. It also requires an enormous amount of energy expended by the musculoskeletal system. The main objective of the study was to determine the dynamic stability of the lower limb in professional hockey players. Methods. The Y-balance test was chosen to measure the dynamic stability of lower limb. In addition, an electronic questionnaire was applied to obtain data associated with the knee joint injuries. Results. The mean value of the composite score for the right lower limb was 1.07 (± 0.10). The minimum value of the composite score for the right lower limb was 0.88, and the maximum value equalled 1.25. The mean value of the composite score for the left lower limb was 1.08 (± 0.11). The minimum value for the left lower limb was 0.90, and the maximum equalled 1.27. Conclusions. Dynamic stability in the tested group of professional hockey players was shown to be adequate; however, further studies will be needed to determine the optimal values of the Y-balance test in the prevention of injuries in hockey players.