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Postural sway parameters in seated balancing; their reliability and relationship with balancing performance.
Jaap H van Dieën1, Lando L J Koppes, Jos W R Twisk
1Research Institute MOVE, Institute for Fundamental and Clinical Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 9, NL-1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.vandieen@fbw.vu.nl
This study found poor reliability and high intercorrelation among center of pressure (CoP) sway parameters for seated balancing. A multivariate approach is needed to identify sway characteristics related to balance loss.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics and Motor Control
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Assessing seated balance relies on analyzing center of pressure (CoP) movements.
- Numerous parameters quantify CoP sway, but their reliability and interrelations are not fully understood.
- Identifying key parameters for balance loss prediction is crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the test-retest reliability of 39 center of pressure (CoP) sway parameters during seated balancing.
- To examine the intercorrelations among these CoP sway parameters.
- To identify which CoP sway parameters predict balance loss in seated balancing.
Main Methods:
- 331 subjects performed three 30-second seated balancing trials.
- 39 parameters characterizing center of pressure (CoP) movements were analyzed.
- Test-retest reliability, intercorrelations, and associations with balance loss were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses.
Main Results:
- Test-retest reliability for most CoP sway parameters was poor (ICC < 0.7), with 9 parameters showing very low reliability (ICC < 0.4).
- Many sway parameters were highly intercorrelated, suggesting redundancy.
- Univariate analyses found no significant relation to balance loss, but multivariate models indicated higher sway velocity and lower short-term diffusion coefficient were associated with less balance loss.
Conclusions:
- Conventional CoP sway parameters exhibit poor reliability and significant redundancy for seated balancing assessment.
- A multivariate analysis of CoP trajectories, considering parameters like sway velocity and diffusion, is essential for accurately characterizing balancing performance and predicting balance loss.
