Author(s): DI ROCCO, F., PAPALE, O., FESTINO, E., DE MAIO, M., FUSCO, A., CORTIS, C., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF CASSINO AND LAZIO MERIDIONALE, Country: ITALY, Abstract-ID: 1376

INTRODUCTION:
Computerized wobble boards (WB) offer a novel method for assessing dynamic balance in the lower limbs, providing the advantage of evaluations outside the traditional laboratory settings. Although the reliability and validity of these devices in evaluating lower limb balance have been well documented, their potential for assessing eye-hand motor coordination remains unexplored. In order to address this gap in the literature, our study aimed to establish the intersession reliability of WB assessments for eye-hand motor coordination in young healthy subjects.
METHODS:
53 subjects (age:24.8±2.7years; body mass:67.7±13.3kg; height:169.8±9.5cm) were evaluated across two sessions separated by a 48-hour rest period. A custom software connected to a laptop for the WB test, displaying real-time performance on a monitor, was used. The software setup included a Motion Marker (MM) and a Target Zone (TZ). Subjects performed four 15-second trials for each limb, with a 30-second recovery period between trials. During the trials, the tested limb was positioned at a 90° on the WB. Subjects were instructed to move the MM in various predefined patterns (clockwise (C), counterclockwise (CC), antero-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML)) on the screen, aiming to maintain it within the TZ for as long as possible while standing. Times (s) for the dominant and non dominant limbs under each condition were recorded. The intersession reliability was assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), and 95% Minimal Detectable Change (MDC95).
RESULTS:
Results revealed good to excellent intersession reliability for dominant limb (ICC range:0.62-0.80; SEM range:1.15–1.77), except in the AP condition (ICC=0.52), and for non dominant limb (ICC range:0.72–0.78; SEM range:0.96–2.14), except in the ML condition (ICC=0.62). For the dominant limb, MDC95 ranged from 2.28 to 3.03, whereas for the non dominant ranged from 1.90 to 4.25.
CONCLUSION:
Findings shows the reliability of WB eye-hand motor coordination assessments, crucial for tasks requiring complex movement patterns. The low SEM highlights precision, while differences in MDC95 shows different sensitivity to performance changes across limbs and conditions. The dominant limb smaller MDC95 values shows a greater ability to detect performance changes, critical for adapting athletic training, especially in sports like basketball where such coordination is crucial. The results might allow coaches to adapt training to enhance weaker areas, mainly in the non dominant limb, improving overall performance in skills like dribbling. Beyond sports, WB testing might uncover eye-hand coordination deficits in students, suggesting adjustments in eye-hand training and lecture strategies to increase cognitive skills such as attention and memory, thus enhancing focus and note-taking. This highlights WB evaluations role in adapting athletic and academic approaches, addressing specific needs to optimize physical and cognitive development.