Article

For older people balance control in standing is critical for performance of
activities of daily living without falling. The aims were to investigate
reliability of quantification of the usage of the two balance mechanisms M(1)
'moving the centre of pressure' and M(2) 'segment acceleration' and also to
compare calculation methods based on a combination of kinetic (K) and kinematic
(Km) data, (K-Km), or Km data only concerning M(2). For this purpose nine
physically fit persons aged 70-78 years were tested in narrow and single-leg
standing. Data were collected by a 7-camera motion capture system and two force
plates. Repeated measure ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests were used to detect
differences between the standing tasks. Reliability was estimated by ICCs,
standard error of measurement including its 95% CI, and minimal detectable
change, whereas Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to investigate
agreement between the two calculation methods. The results indicated that for the
tasks investigated, M(1) and M(2) can be measured with acceptable inter- and
intrasession reliability, and that both Km and K-Km based calculations may be
useful for M(2), although Km data may give slightly lower values. The
proportional M(1):M(2) usage was approximately 9:1, in both anterio-posterior
(AP) and medio-lateral (ML) directions for narrow standing, and about 2:1 in the
AP and of 1:2 in the ML direction in single-leg standing, respectively. In
conclusion, the tested measurements and calculations appear to constitute a
reliable way of quantifying one important aspect of balance capacity in fit older
people.
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