RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BALANCE BOARD PERFORMANCE AND INJURY RISK AMONG FOOTBALL PLAYERS: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

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Background
Football is a physically demanding sport that requires high levels of balance, coordination, and neuromuscular
control. Deficits in balance ability may impair joint stability and increase the likelihood of lower limb injuries,
particularly ankle sprains. Balance board assessment is commonly used to evaluate postural stability and
proprioceptive control in athletes.
Objective
To determine the relationship between balance board performance and injury risk among football players.
Methodology
An observational study was conducted on 50 football players aged between 20 and 35 years. Participants were
selected using purposive sampling. Balance ability was assessed using a balance board, and injury frequency
was recorded through injury history assessment. Weekly sport performance scores were also recorded.
Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used to analyze the data.
Results
The results indicated that players with lower balance board scores demonstrated higher injury frequency.
Conversely, athletes with better balance performance reported fewer injuries. Statistical analysis suggested a
negative association between balance performance and injury occurrence among football players.
Conclusion The findings of the study suggest that balance performance may play an important role in
influencing injury risk among football players. Balance board assessment may therefore serve as a useful
screening tool for identifying athletes who may be at higher risk of lower limb injuries.