Why use the Y Balance and Hop Tests with Athletes

Usually carried out by our Exercise Physiologists, the reasoning for us using these tests, is to look for any asymmetries that the athlete might have in their lower body.

With athletes that have a lot of focus on their lower limbs in sports such as soccer, tennis, the risk of injury is a little bit higher in the lower limb, so we want to assess their ability to balance on their right leg compared to their left leg, as well as hop off their right leg and left leg, and find out if there any difference between the two?

If there are imbalances the likelihood of injury is a little higher, and so we would adjust their training program to incorporate some specific exercises that are really designed to reduce that likelihood, and allow the athlete to play their sport in the best possible injury-free manner.