Y-Balance Test Training for Ankle Function and Lower Limb Functional Performance

NCT07826312 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 11-CEIC-UA/2026-M
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 56
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study investigated whether a 6-week home-based training program based on the Y-Balance Test could improve ankle function and lower limb functional performance in university students. The Y-Balance Test is a functional task that involves standing on one leg while reaching in different directions with the other leg, and it is commonly used to assess dynamic balance and postural control. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group, which performed the Y-Balance Test-based training program, or a control group, which maintained its usual routine without intervention. All participants were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks. The study assessed Y-Balance Test performance, weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion, ankle maximal isometric strength, and self-reported ankle function. These outcomes were selected because they are relevant components of ankle function and lower limb performance. The main goal of the study was to determine whether this structured training program led to greater improvements in Y-Balance Test composite score than no intervention. Secondary aims included assessing changes in normalized reach distances, ankle dorsiflexion, ankle strength, and self-reported ankle function. The study did not directly assess injury incidence, but focused on functional measures commonly used in the assessment of factors related to lower limb injury risk.

Conditions

Healthy Subjects

Keywords

Y-Balance Test; Ankle Strength; Ankle Function; Exercise Training; Lower Limb Injury Risk

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change from Baseline in Dominant Lower Limb Y-Balance Test Composite Score at 6 Weeks

  Composite score (%) of the dominant lower limb calculated from the maximal reach distances in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions of the Y-Balance Test, normalized to lower limb length using the formula: \[(anterior + posteromedial + posterolateral) / (3 × lower limb length)\] × 100. Higher values indicate better performance on the test.

  Baseline and 6 weeks

• Change from Baseline in Non Dominant Lower Limb Y-Balance Test Composite Score at 6 Weeks

  Composite score (%) of the non dominant lower limb calculated from the maximal reach distances in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions of the Y-Balance Test, normalized to lower limb length using the formula: \[(anterior + posteromedial + posterolateral) / (3 × lower limb length)\] × 100. Higher values indicate better performance on the test.

  Baseline and 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (18)

• Change from Baseline in Dominant Ankle Weight-Bearing Dorsiflexion at 6 Weeks

  Baseline and 6 weeks

• Change from Baseline in Non Dominant Ankle Weight-Bearing Dorsiflexion at 6 Weeks

  Baseline and 6 weeks

• Change from Baseline in Dominant Ankle Inversion Maximal Isometric Strength at 6 Weeks

  baseline and 6 weeks

• Change from Baseline in Non Dominant Ankle Inversion Maximal Isometric Strength at 6 Weeks

  Baseline and 6 weeks

• Change from Baseline in Dominant Ankle Eversion Maximal Isometric Strength at 6 Weeks

  Baseline and 6 weeks

Other Outcomes (1)

• Change from Baseline in Inter-Limb Asymmetry in the Y-Balance Test Composite Score at 6 Weeks

  Baseline and 6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Y-Balance Test-Based Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm completed a 6-week home-based Y-Balance Test-based training program, performed 5 times per week. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks.

Behavioral: Y-Balance Test-Based Training Program

No Additional Training Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm did not receive any intervention and maintained their usual routine during the study period. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks.

Interventions

Y-Balance Test-Based Training Program BEHAVIORAL

Participants completed a 6-week home-based training program based on the Y-Balance Test, performed 5 times per week, for a total planned dose of 30 sessions. The program used a paper Y-Balance Test kit provided to participants. In each session, participants performed six maximal attempts per lower limb, reaching in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. Rest between attempts was self-managed. The program was self-administered, with initial face-to-face instructions and access to online demonstration videos.

Y-Balance Test-Based Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Enrolled in an undergraduate degree at the School of Health Sciences, University of Aveiro.
• Aged 18 years or older.
• Able and willing to provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Current pain, injury, or medical condition that prevents the safe performance of the study assessments, based on self-report during the baseline assessment.
• Unable to comply with the intervention protocol or the assessment sessions.
• Not willing to agree to the terms of the informed consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Aveiro University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Escola Superior de Saúde da Universidade de Aveiro

Aveiro, Aveiro District, 3810-193, Portugal

Location

Study Officials

• Mário A Lopes, PhD

  Escola Superior de Saúde da Universidade de Aveiro

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two parallel groups using a sex-stratified block randomization procedure. The experimental group completed a 6-week Y-Balance Test-based home training program, while the control group maintained its usual routine without intervention. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after 6 weeks.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 13, 2026
• First Posted: September 17, 2026
• Study Start: March 16, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 15, 2026
• Study Completion: May 15, 2026
• Last Updated: September 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PT (1)