Comparison between balance performance among female basketball players and non-basketball players in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Research findings indicate a concerning prevalence of physical inactivity among Saudi females, which has been associated with poor balance performance. Therefore, it is crucial to promote sports participation, such as basketball. Despite its potential benefits, the specific effects of basketball engagement among Saudi females still need to be explored. Thus, this study investigated the association between basketball participation and balance performance among Saudi women.

Methods: We examined the relationship between playing basketball and balance performance using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Thirty-eight female Saudi participants were recruited and divided into two groups: a non-athletic control group (N.=20, age: 21.8±3.1 years; weight: 60.6±12 kg; height: 163.8±6.3 cm) and a basketball group (N.=18, age: 21.5±1.7 years; weight: 55.6±7.7 kg; height: 157.7±5.5 cm).

Results: The study found that basketball players demonstrated significantly superior balance performance to non-basketball players in posteromedial (P=0.01; d=0.85) and posterior directions of the right leg (P=0.04; d=0.68). Also, a significant group difference was found in the posterior reach of the left leg (P=0.02; d=0.76). Reaching distance in a given direction was highly correlated with total reaching distance for both leg sides. Moreover, a significant positive correlation between years of playing and balance variables was found in the basketball group (P<0.05).

Conclusions: We conclude that individuals who regularly played basketball exhibited superior balance performance compared to non-athletic individuals in specific reaching directions. Therefore, promoting women's participation in basketball is recommended to enhance individuals' overall physical activity and balance capabilities.