Dynamic postural stability, is associated with competitive level, in youth league soccer players

Objectives To assess the effect of competitive level on dynamic postural stability in young elite and sub-elite soccer players. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Laboratory. Participants Fifty-four male soccer players of Under 16 and Under 17 categories (mean age 15.9±0.6), divided into two groups who regularly compete at national (n = 28) and regional (n = 26) levels. Main outcome measures Dynamic Postural Stability Index (DPSI) and vertical Time to Stabilization (vTTS) for a forward-jump landing. Static postural sway was calculated on the basis of center-of-pressure trajectories for a 20s one-legged stance. Results Players at national level exhibit better dynamic postural control than those at regional level, as indicated by the significantly lower DPSI (0.327 vs. 0.373, p