Mesquita C1,2, Santos P3, Medeiros G3, Faria R3, Costa A3, Natario C3, Lopes S3
1Health School of Polytechnic of Porto, Physiotherapy, Porto, Portugal, 2CIR - Center for Rehabilitation Research, Health School, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal, 3Health School of Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Physiotherapy, Porto, Portugal
Background: Balance and postural control could be defined as the process of maintaining the body´s center of gravity within the weight support. To mainten these is necessary integration of sensory information and an appropriate motor response. Balance is determined by visual, vestibular and somatosensory functions and are fundamental to independence and functionality. Thus, it is pertinent to find normative values for the portuguese population for a balance assessment instrument - the Biodex Balance System (BBS).
Purpose: to obtain normative BBS values for the portuguese population and analyze differences between age groups, gender and physical activity practitioners.
Methods: an observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study among volunteers aged 18-85 years (n = 270). The sample was selected through a questionnaire and divided into 4 groups according to the age:
1 (18-35),
2 (36-53),
3 (54-71) e
4 (72-85).
Were performed four BBS test protocols: m-Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance performed in 4 conditions:
1 - eyes open and firm platform,
2 - eyes closed and firm platform,
3 - eyes open and foam platform,
4 - eyes closed and foam platform;
Limits of Stabilit; Postural Stability Test; and Fall Risk Test. The ANOVA was used for the 4 groups and Post-hoc of Bonferroni and the HDS of Tukey. For comparison of gender and practitioners of physical activity, t-test was used for independent samples. The level of significance was α = 0.05. The data collection was carried out in the facilities of the Center for Rehabilitation Research, Health School of Polytechnic of Porto, Portugal.
Results: The following normative values were found in this study: m-Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance (Sway Index): condition 1, 0,04-1,34; condition 2, 0,35-1,73; condition 3, 0,5-1,98; condition 4, 1,63-4,40; for the Limits of Stability (general value): group 1, 59,49; group 2, 48,06; group 3, 48,06; group 4, 46,79; for the Postural Stability Test (Overall Stability Index): group 1, 0,27; group 2, 0,29; group 3, 0,47; group 4, 0,68; for the Fall Risk Test: group 1, 0,4-0,9; group 2, 0,6-1,3; group 3, 0,5-1,5; group 4, 0,6-1,9.
Conclusion(s): Normative values were obtained for the portuguese population, there being a difference between the 4 age groups. There were no differences between genders and physical activity practitioners in the different protocols.
Implications: This study is relevant because it allows physiotherapists to monitor balance and postural control in individuals throughout life. It also help predict the risk of falls and determine the most appropriate rehabilitation protocols.
Keywords: postural control, age, physical activity
Funding acknowledgements: The authors wishes to thank to the participants. No financial suport was received.
Purpose: to obtain normative BBS values for the portuguese population and analyze differences between age groups, gender and physical activity practitioners.
Methods: an observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study among volunteers aged 18-85 years (n = 270). The sample was selected through a questionnaire and divided into 4 groups according to the age:
1 (18-35),
2 (36-53),
3 (54-71) e
4 (72-85).
Were performed four BBS test protocols: m-Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance performed in 4 conditions:
1 - eyes open and firm platform,
2 - eyes closed and firm platform,
3 - eyes open and foam platform,
4 - eyes closed and foam platform;
Limits of Stabilit; Postural Stability Test; and Fall Risk Test. The ANOVA was used for the 4 groups and Post-hoc of Bonferroni and the HDS of Tukey. For comparison of gender and practitioners of physical activity, t-test was used for independent samples. The level of significance was α = 0.05. The data collection was carried out in the facilities of the Center for Rehabilitation Research, Health School of Polytechnic of Porto, Portugal.
Results: The following normative values were found in this study: m-Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance (Sway Index): condition 1, 0,04-1,34; condition 2, 0,35-1,73; condition 3, 0,5-1,98; condition 4, 1,63-4,40; for the Limits of Stability (general value): group 1, 59,49; group 2, 48,06; group 3, 48,06; group 4, 46,79; for the Postural Stability Test (Overall Stability Index): group 1, 0,27; group 2, 0,29; group 3, 0,47; group 4, 0,68; for the Fall Risk Test: group 1, 0,4-0,9; group 2, 0,6-1,3; group 3, 0,5-1,5; group 4, 0,6-1,9.
Conclusion(s): Normative values were obtained for the portuguese population, there being a difference between the 4 age groups. There were no differences between genders and physical activity practitioners in the different protocols.
Implications: This study is relevant because it allows physiotherapists to monitor balance and postural control in individuals throughout life. It also help predict the risk of falls and determine the most appropriate rehabilitation protocols.
Keywords: postural control, age, physical activity
Funding acknowledgements: The authors wishes to thank to the participants. No financial suport was received.
Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Health School, Polytechnic of Porto, Portugal
Ethics committee: Ethics Committee, Health School, Polytechnic of Porto, Portugal
Ethics number: CE_PROC0040
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
