Year: 2026 | Month: May | Volume: 13 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 191-198
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260515
Reliability and Validity of Hand Reach Star Excursion Balance Test in Badminton Players: A Cross-Sectional Study
Jagruti Patel1, Sakshi Desai2, Zeel Naik3, Disha Desai4, Krupa Tailor5
Physiotherapy Department, S. S. Agrawal Institute of Physiotherapy and Medical Care Education, Navsari, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, India.
Corresponding Author: Sakshi Desai
ABSTRACT
Background: Badminton requires high dynamic postural stability and complex upper-limb movements to prevent frequent injuries. The Hand Reach Star Excursion Balance Test (HSEBT) is a clinical tool assessing mobility across eight directions, yet its psychometric properties in badminton players remain unestablished.
Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the Inter-Rater and Intra-Rater Reliability and Validity of the HSEBT in badminton players.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 105 purposively selected badminton players (aged 9–40 years). Participants performed the HSEBT on both right and left leg stances using alternate hands. The Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (UQYBT) served as the criterion measure for validity. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) were used for analysis.
Results: The HSEBT demonstrated excellent reliability, with inter-rater and intra-rater ICCs ranging from 0.91 to 1.0 across all directions and stances. Moderate positive concurrent validity was found between the HSEBT and UQYBT (r = 0.314–0.451, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The HSEBT is a reliable and valid tool for assessing dynamic postural control in badminton players, offering a more comprehensive assessment of upper-limb dynamics than traditional tests.
Keywords: Hand Reach Star Excursion Balance Test, Upper Quarter Y Balance Test, Reliability Validity, Badminton players, Dynamic Postural Control.
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