Static and Dynamic Balance in Elite Wrestlers: Is there a Meaningful Relationship with Muscle Power?

Abstract

The objective of this investigation was to determine the association between reactive strength index (RSI), jumping performance and static and dynamic balance parameters in elite wrestlers. Fourteen international level male wrestlers (mean age: 17.82 ± 4.60 yrs) volunteered to participate in the study. Static balance was assessed using the standing stork balance test (SST) and dynamic balance was measured with the Y-balance test (YB). Dominant-leg unilateral and bilateral vertical (CMJ-DL, CMJ), lateral (SLJ-DL, SLJ), 5 jump (FJT) and drop jumps (DJ-DL, DJ) were conducted. Significant positive correlations were observed between the SST and bilateral vertical CMJ (r-range: 0.41 to 0.63; p<0.005) as well as unilateral vertical jump with the dominant leg (r-range: 0.58 to 0.64; p<0.005). Significant positive correlations were observed between SST and FJT and SLJ and SLJ-DL (r-range: 0.41 to 0.58; p<0.005). The composite score of the Y-balance test showed moderate correlation with DJ, SLJ or DJ-DL (r-range=0.26 to 0.36; p<0.05). However, there were moderate to large positive correlations with CMJ-DL and CMJ (r-range: 0.54 to 0.71; p<0.005) as well as with FJT (r: 0.50; p<0.005) and SLJ-DL (r: 0.71; p<0.005). Our findings are evident of an association between jumping capacity, reactive strength (i.e. RSI) and balance performance, that may imply transfer effects from balance to strength/power training and vice versa