The Correlation and Reliability of Determining Non-dominant Leg Tests in Order to Assess Standing Balance

Determining non-dominant leg in balance researches is important. Due to lack of specific test for determining non-dominant leg, the researchers had determined dominant leg, and then considered the opposite leg as non-dominant leg. Since, the used method had some drawbacks, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the correlation and reliability of tests for determining non-dominant leg. 28 women were selected through purposeful sampling method among the students aged 18-25 years in Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran, and participated in this study. Field and laboratory tests included tests for determining preferred leg during stability task, functional test of stability task, single-leg stance balance tests, and weigh distribution on legs test during double leg stance. In order to study the manner of weight distribution on legs, a force plate and motion analysis system were used. MATLAB software was used for data analysis, and statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Highest correlation (r = 0.85) was related to two tests of hopping and landing from height (P = 0.001). There was also moderate correlation between hopping (r = 0.40) and landing from height (r = 0.47) tests and hopping distance test (P = 0.005). Results of reliability of tests revealed that only these three tests have high reliability. When method for calculating average values of trials was somehow modified, small but significant correlation appeared between single-leg stance test with landing (r = 0.28) and hopping skill distance (r = 0.29) tests (P = 0.020). There was no significant correlation between double leg stance test with stability task and single leg stance balance tests. Tests for determining non-dominant leg should be proportionate to task in research. Single-leg stance balance test used in the present study had not acceptable reliability, and based on the stability task and balance single-leg stance tests used in this study, manner of weigh distribution on legs at double leg stance condition cannot be shown