Effects of Skateboarding Stance Leg on Unilateral Balance

Skateboarding is a unique sport where each leg is placed under different demands for basic operation as it requires single-leg stability to be maintained on an unstable surface in a dynamic environment. Consistent participation might influence unilateral balance, due to the frequency of this movement in the sport. PURPOSE: To compare single leg directional stability between stance and push legs of skateboarders. METHODS: Ten skateboarders (age= 22.40±1.90 yrs; HT= 177.20±7.41 cm; mass= 78.84±22.42 kg; regular stance= 4; goofy stance = 6) participated in a single leg balance test on a Biodex Balance System that measured movement of the lower extremities, in all directions. Three trials were conducted on each leg (2 practice and 1 recorded trial). Participants were instructed to balance on one leg for 20 seconds on an unstable surface (Biodex stability level=2). After completion, the opposite leg was tested. RESULTS: There was no significant difference found in anterior-posterior stability between stance leg (3.98±3.49) and push leg (3.82 ± 4.00). For medial-lateral stability, the stance leg (3.02 ± 2.98) demonstrated greater balance than the push leg (3.46 ± 3.59). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, skateboarders show significant imbalances between their stance leg and push leg in the medial-lateral direction. These results demonstrate a need for training strategies targeting push leg balance.