Dynamic postural stability, is associated with competitive level, in youth league soccer players

Objectives To assess the effect of competitive level on dynamic postural stability in young elite and sub-elite soccer players. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Laboratory. Participants Fifty-four male soccer players of Under 16 and Under 17 categories (mean age 15.9±0.6), divided into two groups who regularly compete at national (n = 28) and regional (n = 26) levels. Main outcome measures Dynamic Postural Stability Index (DPSI) and vertical Time to Stabilization (vTTS) for a forward-jump landing. Static postural sway was calculated on the basis of center-of-pressure trajectories for a 20s one-legged stance. Results Players at national level exhibit better dynamic postural control than those at regional level, as indicated by the significantly lower DPSI (0.327 vs. 0.373, p<0.001) and vTTS (0.887 vs. 1.158s, p=0.003). In con- trast, no differences between groups were found in any of the postural sway parameters for the static test. Conclusions Young soccer players at national level are characterized by better balance performance in terms of faster and more efficient stabilization after a forward jump, while one-leg static standing tests appear not challeng- ing enough to reveal differences in balance abilities associated with the combination of superior technical and physical features.