Reliability assessment of the static balance parameters based on center of pressure in different age groups of healthy participants

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluates the reliability of balance parameters for both men and women, across 8 age subgroups while standing with eyes open.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Foot Anthropometry Research Center.

Participants: Healthy subjects (1582 men and 786 women) aged 20-60 years.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main outcome measures: Center of pressure data were recorded using a pressure platform during three 10-s trials. Based on this, fifteen balance parameters were calculated via MATLAB (R2015b). The intraclass correlation coefficient assessed reliability using SPSS (26). Additionally, the standard error of measurement, minimum detectable change, and percentage coefficient of variation were determined with MATLAB. An independent t-test evaluated gender differences in minimum detectable change, with Bonferroni correction applied to control for Type I error.

Results: The parameters demonstrated substantial reliability for women and most for men across age groups, indicating strong reproducibility. Most parameters exhibited a coefficient of variation near 30 %. Significant gender differences in minimum detectable change were observed for parameters such as the anterior-posterior range, root mean square distance in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions, and planar phase; however, these differences were not statistically significant after Bonferroni correction.

Conclusion: It is recommended that future research employ these parameters for comparative analyses of postural balance under different test conditions between men and women. This will help determine whether significant gender differences exist in balance performance.

Keywords: Balance; Minimal detectable change; Reliability; Reproducibility; Standing position.