The Blazepod is a visual-cognitive-motor training system based on a light system that allows to train agility, balance, speed, reaction time, strength, decision-making and focus, granting the assessment of visuomotor reaction time. Balance and visuomotor reaction time are two very important components of performance and are correlated with the risk of injury. This study is the first study that correlates the scores of the Blazepod with the Y-Balance Test.
This is a cross-sectional study. Randomly, the participants executed the OLBA (one-leg balance activity) and the Y-Balance Test (YBT). The OLBA consists of a single-leg activity performed with 4 pods arranged on the floor in a square shape where the distance between the pods is defined by the length of the participant's lower limb. The YBT requires the individual to balance on one lower limb while simultaneously reaching as far as possible with the contralateral lower limb in three separate directions: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral. The reach result in each direction is normalized with the length of the lower limb measured between anterior superior iliac spine and the medial malleolus. The composite result of the 3 YBT directions is obtained by averaging the 3 normalized reach directions, also considered an injury risk indicator.
The study sample was composed by 65 higher education students, 40 female and 22 male, with a mean age of 22,4±5,78 years. The Spearman’s correlation demonstrated a positive correlation between the YBT composite score of the dominant limb with the Blazepod score (P = 0,431; p0,001) and a positive correlation between the YBT composite score of the non-dominant limb with the Blazepod score (P = 0,344; p=0,006).
A visual-cognitive-motor training system as the Blazepod may stand as a valid solution to assess injury risk of the lower limb in young healthy adults.
The integration of Blazepod into physiotherapy has the potential to revolutionize how injuries are assessed and prevented. By leveraging technology for enhanced data collection and real-time feedback, physiotherapists can offer more personalized care, ultimately improving athlete outcomes and informing broader policy and educational initiatives.
injury risk
injury prevention
