Postural Stability as a Predictor of Explosive Lower Limb Performance in Young Adults: A Gender-Based Analysis

Background: Postural stability contributes to neuromuscular control and may influence explosive lower limb performance. Objective: To investigate the association and predictive relationship between balance performance and standing forward jump distance in young adults. Methods: Eighty healthy university students (40 males, 40 females; aged 20–23 years) participated. Balance was assessed using the Single-Leg Stance (SLS) test (seconds), and explosive lower limb performance was measured using the standing forward jump test (cm). Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses were performed. Results: A strong positive correlation was observed in the total sample (r = 0.786, p < 0.001). Strong correlations were found in males (r = 0.784, p < 0.001) and females (r = 0.709, p < 0.001). Linear regression showed that balance significantly predicted jump performance (R² = 0.618, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Postural stability is strongly associated with and predictive of explosive lower limb performance.