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Y-Balance Test

Evidence-grounded — sourced from Fysiqal's fitness knowledge graph· 2 min read
balancey-balancedynamic-balancesebtneuromotorinjury-risktest

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In one line

Standing on one leg, reach the free foot as far as possible in three directions (anterior, posteromedial, posterolateral); normalized reach distances and side-to-side asymmetry index dynamic balance and injury risk.

Detail

The Y-Balance Test (YBT) is a standardized, instrumented version of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). The participant balances on one leg on a central platform and pushes a reach-indicator as far as possible with the free foot in three directions: anterior (A), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL) (the three arms form a "Y"). An upper-quarter version exists for the shoulder/trunk.

Protocol: practice trials, then record the maximum reach (cm) in each direction per leg (best of 3), reaching without touching down, losing balance, or kicking the indicator. Normalize each reach to limb length (reach ÷ limb length × 100) and compute a composite score = (A + PM + PL) / (3 × limb length) × 100%.

Interpretation: used for dynamic balance and injury-risk screening. Reported risk markers: anterior-reach asymmetry > ~4 cm between legs, and a composite score below ~89–94% (population-dependent) associate with higher lower-extremity injury risk. (cut-points vary by sport/population) Standardize footwear, instructions, and the same tester for re-tests.

Key facts

  • Single-leg dynamic balance; reach in anterior, posteromedial, posterolateral directions.
  • Record best of 3 per direction/leg (cm); normalize to limb length; composite = (A+PM+PL)/(3×limb length)×100%.
  • Risk markers: anterior asymmetry >~4 cm; composite <~89–94% (population-dependent).
  • Instrumented SEBT; upper-quarter version exists for shoulder/trunk.

Connections

  • single-leg-stance-test — static-balance counterpart.
  • functional-movement-screen — broader movement-quality screen.
  • exercise-single-leg-stand — training counterpart.
  • cod-mechanics — relevant to the change-of-direction demands it reflects.
SourceCurrent guideline bodies
Plisky et al., reliability and injury-prediction of the Y-Balance / Star Excursion Balance Test; Functional Movement Systems YBT protocol.
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Educational content only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for individualized guidance, especially around injury, pregnancy, or medical conditions.

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Atlas Connections

Functional Movement Screen (FMS) — Overview
A seven-task movement-quality screen scored 0–3 per task (max 21) that flags mobility/stability limitations and asymmetries to guide corrective work — a qualitative screen, not a fitness test.
Single-Leg Stance (Balance) TestClosely related
Time how long someone can balance on one leg (eyes open, then optionally closed); shorter times flag impaired static balance and elevated fall risk, especially in older adults.
Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) TestClosely related
Time someone rising from a chair, walking 3 m, turning, returning, and sitting; longer times indicate impaired mobility and higher fall risk in older adults.
Single-Leg StandClosely related
Stand on one leg and hold — the foundational static-balance drill and a key fall-prevention exercise; harder than it looks and easily progressed.
Change-of-Direction (COD) Mechanics
Changing direction is a braking-then-reaccelerating task — decelerate eccentrically, plant with a stable knee/hip, lower the center of mass, and push off explosively into the new direction.