scholarly journals Validity and Application of a Portable Force Platform in Assessment of Dynamic Balance Ability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinpeng Lin ◽  
Fang Wang ◽  
Yaqi Zhao ◽  
Junjie Li ◽  
Jixin Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Force Platform ◽  
Balance Assessment ◽  
Visual Evaluation ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Balance Task ◽  
Balance Ability

Abstract Background: Dynamic balance assessment, which requires a specialized device, is crucial in clinic to evaluate postural control comprehensively. The Nintendo Wii Balance Board (WBB), a portable force platform may be a suitable alternative to the expensive “gold standard”- the laboratory-grade force platform (FP). However, its validity in assessment of dynamic balance is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the validity of the WBB in dynamic balance assessment.Methods: We performed three static and dynamic balance tests, including open eyes single-leg stand, close eyes single-leg stand and Limitation of Stability, on the WBB for 34 healthy participants. Trajectories of center of pressure (COP) were recorded synchronously and used to compute seven characteristics. To quantify the consistency of the two devices, we used intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) as well as visual evaluation of Bland–Altman plots.Results: The data showed a high consistency between the two devices (ICC = 0.92-0.98) under static and dynamic balance assessments, and the visual evaluation result from Bland–Altman plot was acceptable between device agreement. Moreover, in the dynamic balance task (Limitation of Stability test), the typical ranges of COP-based postural sway distances for healthy adults in medial-lateral and anterior-posterior measured by the WBB were 27.17 ± 3.88 cm and 21.13 ± 2.33 cm, respectively, indicating the validity of the WBB in assessing COP under both static or dynamic balance tasks. Conclusion: With the advantages of portability and low-cost, the valid WBB can facilitate the popularization of quantitative balance evaluation to basic hospitals. Our results provide valuable reference for clinical evaluation of balance ability.

Reliability of Force-Platform Measures of Postural Sway and Expertise-Related Differences

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 442-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zohreh Meshkati ◽  
Mehdi Namazizadeh ◽  
Mahyar Salavati ◽  
Masood Mazaheri
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Specific Property ◽  
Force Platform ◽  
Quiet Standing ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Eyes Open

Context:Although reliability is a population-specific property, few studies have investigated the measurement error associated with force-platform parameters in athletic populations.Objective:To investigate the skill-related differences between athletes and nonathletes in reliability of center-of-pressure (COP) summary measures under eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions.Design:Test–retest reliability study.Setting:COP was recorded during double-leg quiet standing on a Kistler force platform before and after a fatiguing treadmill exercise, with EO and EC.Participants:31 male participants including 15 athletes practiced in karate and 16 nonathletes.Main Outcome Measures:Standard deviation (SD) of amplitude, phase-plane portrait, SD of velocity, mean total velocity, and area were calculated from 30-s COP data. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement, and coefficient of variation (CV) were used as estimates of reliability and precision.Results:Higher ICCs were found for COP measures in the athlete (compared with the nonathlete) group, postfatigued (compared with prefatigued) condition, and EC (compared with EO) tests. CVs smaller than 15% were obtained for most of the COP measures. SD of velocity in the anteroposterior direction showed the highest reliability in most conditions.Conclusions:Tests with EC and to a lesser extent tests performed in the athlete group and in the postfatigued condition showed better reliability.

scholarly journals Reliability and Validity of a Mobile Device Application for Use in Sports-Related Concussion Balance Assessment

2017 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
pp. e1-e6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Burghart ◽  
Jordan Craig ◽  
Jeff Radel ◽  
Jessie Huisinga
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Device ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Force Platform ◽  
Balance Assessment ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Device Application ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Background Balance assessment is necessary when evaluating athletes after a concussion. We investigated a mobile device application (app) for providing valid, reliable, and objective measures of static balance. Objectives The mobile device app would demonstrate similar test–retest reliability to force platform center of pressure (COP) sway variables and that SWAY scores and force platform COP sway variables would demonstrate good correlation coefficients. Methods Twenty-six healthy adults performed balance stances on a force platform while holding a mobile device equipped with SWAY (Sway Medical LLC) to measure postural sway based on acceleration changes detected by the mobile device's accelerometer. Participants completed four series of three 10-second stances (feet together, tandem, and single leg), twice with eyes open and twice with eyes closed. Test–retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Concurrent validity of SWAY scores and COP sway variables were determined with Pearson correlation coefficients. Results Reliability of SWAY scores was comparable to force platform results for the same test condition (ICC = 0.21–0.57). Validity showed moderate associations between SWAY scores and COP sway variables during tandem stance (r = –0.430 to –0.493). Lower SWAY scores, indicating instability, were associated with greater COP sway. Discussion The SWAY app is a valid and reliable tool when measuring balance of healthy individuals in tandem stance. Further study of clinical populations is needed prior to assessment use. Conclusion The SWAY app has potential for objective clinical and sideline evaluations of concussed athletes, although continued evaluation is needed.

scholarly journals Differences between Tempos of Step Error and Postural Sway in the Stipulated Tempo Step Test for Children and Their Relationships

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Hiroki Aoki ◽  
Shin-ichi Demura ◽  
Kenji Takahashi ◽  
Hiroshi Hirai
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Path Length ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Step Test ◽  
Total Path Length ◽  
Fast Tempo ◽  
Balance Ability ◽  
Path Lengths ◽  
Slow Tempo

Recently, to evaluate dynamic balance ability, a stipulated tempo step test has been developed, and a step error between tempo and contact time of feet has been used as an evaluation variable. The step error, postural sway, and their relationships may differ between the slow tempo (40 bpm) and fast tempo (120 bpm). This study aimed to examine the aforementioned problem with 62 participant children (30 boys and 32 girls). The step error and postural sway variables (X-axis path length, Y-axis path length, total path length, peripheral area, and rectangular area) during stepping while matching both tempos were measured. Means of one minute and three intervals (0–20 sec, 20–40 sec, and 40–60 sec) for each variable were calculated in both tempos. The results of the paired t-test showed that means of all variables were larger in the 40 bpm tempo than in the 120 bpm tempo. In the multiple comparison tests after the results of the two-way repeated measures ANOVA, the means of three intervals in all variables were larger in the 40 bpm tempo than in the 120 bpm tempo; the means of the sway variables, excluding that of the X-axis path length, in the 40 bpm tempo were larger in the 0–20 sec interval than in the 20–40 sec interval or the 40–60 sec interval. Correlations between step errors and those between the step error and sway variables of both tempos were insignificant or under moderation. The correlations between the step error and sway variables in both tempos were insignificant or significant but low, and those among sway variables were high, except between the X- and Y-axis path lengths. The relationship between both axis path lengths differed according to the tempo. In conclusion, in the case of the stipulated tempo step test targeting children, the slow tempo has a greater step error and postural sway than the fast tempo, and the sway in the early step stage is greater in the slow tempo. The relationships between step errors and between the step error and sway variables of both tempos are low; hence, the ability related to the test may differ in both tempos. The relationships among sway variables in both tempos are high, except between the X- and Y-axis path lengths.

Validation of a Portable Force Plate for Evaluating Postural Sway

2020 ◽  
pp. 003151252094509
Author(s):  
Mark Walsh ◽  
Caroline Church ◽  
Audrey Hoffmeister ◽  
Dean Smith ◽  
Joshua Haworth
Keyword(s):  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Disease Status ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Sport Training ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Ground Plate ◽  
Absolute Agreement

Measurements of postural sway are used to assess physiological changes due to therapy or sport training, or to describe group differences based on activity history or disease status. Portable force plates have been widely adopted for this purpose, leading us in this study to validate with linear and nonlinear metrics the posturographic data derived from both a portable plate (Natus) when compared to an in-ground plate (Bertec). Twenty participants stood on each plate for two trials each, with and without a foam perturbation and with and without eyes open on each surface. We calculated measures of path length, range, root mean squares, sample entropy, and correlation dimensions from center of pressure traces on each plate. An intraclass correlation coefficient across trials from each plate in each condition indicated satisfactory overall reliability (ICC consistency), supporting the use of either plate for postural sway research and interventions. Additionally, our results generally supported common validity (ICC absolute agreement), though, the specific degree of similarity differed for each of the tested metrics of postural sway, especially when considering whether or not data was filtered. For situations in which participants cannot visit a laboratory (e.g. performing athletes, community dwelling clinical patients, and virus risk concerns) an in-home portable force plate is a trusted and valuable data collection tool.

scholarly journals Comparison of postural balance between professional tae kwon do athletes and young adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Maciel Rabello ◽  
Christiane de Souza Guerino Macedo ◽  
André Wilson Gil ◽  
Marcio Rogério de Oliveira ◽  
Vinícius Arantes Coelho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postural Balance ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Force Platform ◽  
Adult Group ◽  
Tae Kwon Do ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Single Leg Stance ◽  
Postural Assessment

This study aimed to compare the postural balance of professional tae kwon do athletes with a non-tae kwon do adult group. Nineteen participants (nine tae kwon do practitioners and ten non-tae kwon do practitioners) were tested. To measure the postural sway, a force platform was used and the equipment recorded the main parameters: area of center of pressure; mean frequency, and velocity of center of pressure for both anteroposterior and mediolateral directions were measured for all participants. Before starting the assessment, the subjects received instructions and performed familiarization with the equipment and protocol. Participants were instructed to carry out three balance tests on a single-leg stance position with eyes opened. Values obtained in the postural assessment of professional athletes with the force platform were lower for all parameters compared to non-practitioners, except the frequency of center of pressure in the mediolateral direction. However, a significant difference (p=0.021) between the groups was found only in the center of pressure velocity parameter in the anteroposterior direction. These results have any implications on sport rehabilitation programs for balance assessments in athletes.

Effects of a core stabilization training program on balance ability in persons with Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 764-772
Author(s):  
Irene Cabrera-Martos ◽  
Ana Teresa Jiménez-Martín ◽  
Laura López-López ◽  
Janet Rodríguez-Torres ◽  
Araceli Ortiz-Rubio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Core Stability ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Balance Ability ◽  
Experimental Group

Objective: To explore the effects of an eight-week core stability program on balance ability in persons with Parkinson’s disease. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: A local Parkinson’s association. Subjects: A total of 44 participants with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease were randomly assigned to an experimental ( n = 22) or control group ( n = 22). Intervention: The experimental group received 24 sessions of core training, while the control group received an intervention including active joint mobilization, muscle stretching, and motor coordination exercises. Main measures: The primary outcome measure was dynamic balance evaluated using the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test. Secondary outcomes included the balance confidence assessed with the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale and standing balance assessed by the maximal excursion of center of pressure during the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance and the Limits of Stability test. Results: After treatment, a significant between-group improvement in dynamic balance was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group (change, 2.75 ± 1.80 vs 0.38 ± 2.15, P = 0.002). The experimental group also showed a significant improvement in confidence (change, 16.48 ± 16.21 vs 3.05 ± 13.53, P = 0.047) and maximal excursion of center of pressure in forward (change, 0.86 ± 1.89 cm vs 0.17 ± 0.26 cm, P = 0.048), left (change, 0.88 ± 2.63 cm vs 0.07 ± 0.48 cm, P = 0.010), and right (change, 1.63 ± 2.82 cm vs 0.05 ± 0.17 cm, P = 0.046) directions of limits of stability compared to the control group. Conclusion: A program based on core stability in comparison with non-specific exercise benefits dynamic balance and confidence and increases center of mass excursion in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Reliability and Validity of a Wireless Accelerometer for the Assessment of Postural Sway

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan W. Saunders ◽  
Panagiotis Koutakis ◽  
Anne D. Kloos ◽  
Deborah A. Kegelmeyer ◽  
Jessica D. Dicke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Discrimination Capability ◽  
Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Balance Task ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Clinicians are in need of valid and objective measures of postural sway. Accelerometers have been shown to be suitable alternatives to expensive and stationary force plates. We evaluated the test-retest reliability and balance task discrimination capability of a new wireless triaxial accelerometer (YEI 3-Space Sensor). Four testing conditions (eyes open or closed, while on a firm or compliant surface) were used to progressively challenge the static balance of 20 healthy male (n = 8) and female (n = 12) older adults (mean age 81 ± 4.3 y). Subjects completed 2 blocks of three 30-second trials per condition. The accelerometer was positioned on the lower back to acquire mediolateral (M-L) and anterior-posterior (A-P) accelerations. Intraclass correlation coefficients were all good to excellent, with values ranging from .736 to .972 for trial-to-trial and from .760 to .954 for block-to-block. A significant stepwise increase in center of mass acceleration root mean square values was found across the 4 balance conditions (F[1.49, 28.26] = 39.54, P < .001). The new accelerometer exhibited good to excellent trial-to-trial and block-to-block reliability and was sensitive to differences in visual and surface conditions and acceleration axes.

Differences in Static- and Dynamic-Balance Task Performance After 4 Weeks of Intrinsic-Foot-Muscle Training: The Short-Foot Exercise Versus the Towel-Curl Exercise

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott K. Lynn ◽  
Ricardo A. Padilla ◽  
Kavin K.W. Tsang
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Static Balance ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Balance Task

Context:Proper functioning of the intrinsic foot musculature (IFM) is essential in maintaining the integrity of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA). Improper functioning of the IFM leads to excessive pronation of the foot, which has been linked to various pathologies. Therefore, training the IFM to avoid excessive pronation may help prevent some of these pathologies; however, it is not clear how to train these muscles optimally.Objective:To investigate the effects of 2 different types of IFM training on the height of the MLA and static- and dynamic-balance task performance.Design:Randomized controlled trial, repeated-measures mixed-model design.Setting:University biomechanics laboratory for testing and a home-based training program.Participants:24 healthy, university-age volunteers (3 groups of 8) with no history of major lower limb pathology or balance impairment.Interventions:One experimental group performed 4 wk of the short-foot exercise (SFE) and the other performed 4 wk of the towel-curl exercise (TCE). Participants were asked to perform 100 repetitions of their exercise per day.Main Outcome Measures:Navicular height during weight bearing, the total range of movement of the center of pressure (COP) in the mediolateral (ML) direction for a static-balance test and a dynamic-balance test.Results:There were no differences in the navicular height or static-balance tests. For the dynamic-balance test, all groups decreased the ML COP movement on the dominant limb by a small amount (~5 mm); however, the SFE group was able to decrease COP movement much more than the TCE group in the nondominant limb.Conclusions:The SFE appeared to train the IFM more effectively than the TCE; however, there were differing results between the dominant and nondominant legs. These imbalances need to be taken into consideration by clinicians.

scholarly journals The Immediate Effect of Static Hamstring Stretching on Dynamic Balance and Gait Biomechanical Variables in Athletes With Hamstring Tightness: A Preliminary Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parsa Salemi ◽  
Azadeh Shadmehr ◽  
Sara Fereydounnia
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Total Force ◽  
Balance Task ◽  
Hamstring Flexibility ◽  
Straight Leg Raise ◽  
Stance Duration

Introduction: Flexibility is an essential component of muscle function, and insufficient muscle flexibility may lead to muscle injuries. Decreased hamstring flexibility is one of the frequently reported risk factors for a hamstring strain and diminished athletic performance. Stretching is a commonly used intervention for increasing muscle length. There is a lack of evidence concerning the possible effects of hamstring stretching in balance and gait biomechanics. So, this study was designed to investigate the potential effects of static hamstring stretching on the range of motion (ROM), dynamic balance, and biomechanical variables of gait in athletes with hamstring tightness. Materials and Methods: This study is a single-group, pretest-posttest clinical trial performed on semi-professional female athletes. Twelve female athletes aged 20 to 35 years with bilateral hamstring tightness received a single session of unilateral static hamstring stretching on their randomly selected side. All subjects were assessed for straight leg raise, popliteal angle (using standard goniometry), perceived hamstring tightness (using a visual analog scale). They completed single-leg standing and 15-m walking and running tasks before and immediately after the intervention. The biomechanical parameters, including gait-line length, swing duration, and stance duration in walking tasks, maximum total force and mean total force in running task, and center of pressure (COP) displacement and standard deviation during balance task were measured using OpenGo sensor insole system. The pre-post values were compared using the paired sample t-test, and the level of significance was 0.05. Results: The values for straight leg raise and popliteal angle significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with the baseline, while perceived tightness significantly decreased following stretching (P<0.001). The amplitude (P₌0.006) and standard deviation (P₌0.016) of COP displacement in the mediolateral direction during the single leg stance balance task were significantly decreased after the intervention. Stance duration in slow walking (P₌0.004), as well as stance duration (P₌0.012) and swing duration (P<0.001) in fast walking, were significantly decreased (P<0.05) after stretching. No change was observed in gait biomechanical variables during the running test (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that static hamstring stretching can be a promising intervention not just for increasing hamstring flexibility but also for improving balance ability.

Single-Leg Balance Performance in Sub-Elite Young Soccer Players and Swimmers as a Function of Age and Sports Experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Leinen ◽  
Thomas Muehlbauer ◽  
Stefan Panzer
Keyword(s):  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Functional Specialization ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Balance Task ◽  
Anterior Posterior

The present study investigated if accumulated, advanced, regular soccer practice (balance-demanding exercise) compared to regular swim practice (non-balance–demanding exercise) induces a more pronounced functional specialization in postural control. Therefore, single-leg balance performance in sub-elite young soccer players (under 13 [U13]: n = 16; U15: n = 18; U19: n = 15), and sub-elite young swimmers (U13: n = 7; U15: n = 4; U19: n = 5) was tested in different balance task conditions (i.e., static and dynamic balance on firm and foam surface). All athletes practiced 3–10 times per week. Single-leg balance of the dominant and non-dominant leg was measured using a force plate. The standard deviation of the center of pressure displacements in anterior-posterior and medio-lateral directions were used as dependent variables. Irrespective of age groups and type of sport, the results failed to indicate significant leg differences in single-leg balance performance. The soccer players showed significant better single-leg balance performance in anterior-posterior direction in the dynamic balance test on the firm and foam surface compared to the swimmers. Functional specialization was accompanied by the type of sport but not by accumulated practice.

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