Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
Sit-to-stand-and-walk from 120% Knee Height: A Novel Approach to Assess Dynamic Postural Control Independent of Lead-limb
Published on: August 30, 2016
A reliable unipedal stance test for the assessment of balance using a force platform
J G Ponce-González1, J Sanchis-Moysi, J J González-Henriquez
1Department of Physical Education University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Campus Universitario de Tafira s/n Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain - cdorado@def.ulpgc.es.
Background:
The aim was to develop a unipedal stance test for the assessment of balance using a force platform.
Methods:
A single-leg balance test was conducted in 23 students (mean ± SD) age: 23 ± 3 years) in a standard position limiting the movement of the arms and non-supporting leg. Six attempts, with both the jumping (JL) and the contralateral leg (CL), were performed under 3 conditions: 1) eyes opened; 2) eyes closed; 3) eyes opened and executing a precision task. The same protocol was repeated two-week apart.
Results:
The mean and the best result of the six attempts performed each day were taken as representative of balance. The speed of the centre of pressure (CP-Speed) showed excellent reliability for the "best result" analysis in all tests (ICCs 0.87-0.97), except in the test with the eyes closed performed on the CL (ICC<0.4). The CP-Speed had better reliability with the "best result" than with the "mean result" analysis (P<0.05), whilst no significant differences were observed between the JL and the CL (P=0.71 and P=0.96 for mean and best results analysis, respectively). A lower dispersion in the Bland and Altman graph was observed with the eyes opened than closed, and the dynamic test.
Conclusion:
The single-leg stance balance test proposed is a reliable method to assess balance, especially when performed in a static position, with the eyes opened and using the best result of six attempts as reference, independently of the stance leg.
