Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease
Published on: July 24, 2019
Dynamic Balanced Reach: A Temporal and Spectral Analysis Across Increasing Performance Demands.
Joseph E Barton1, Valentina Graci2, Charlene Hafer-Macko3
1Research and Development Service, VA Maryland Health Care Center, Baltimore VA Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201;Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201;Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
This study introduces a dynamic balanced reach test (BRT) to quantify human balance and tracking. The BRT reveals amplitude- and frequency-dependent balance control in healthy young adults, providing a benchmark for fall-risk assessments.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement Analysis
- Motor Control
Background:
- Standing balanced reach is crucial for daily activities but lacks quantitative analysis of multi-segmental body movements.
- Existing balance assessment tools often suffer from floor or ceiling effects, limiting comprehensive quantification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a dynamic balanced reach test (BRT) for quantitatively assessing and characterizing balance during a reaching task.
- To investigate the effects of movement amplitude and frequency on tracking accuracy and postural stability in healthy young adults.
Main Methods:
- Developed a dynamic balanced reach test (BRT) involving reaching for a moving target.
- Collected kinematic and ground reaction force data from 32 healthy young adults.
- Analyzed tracking error, center of mass (CoM) deviation, and response delays across varying target amplitudes and frequencies.
Main Results:
- Root mean squared tracking error (RMSE) and CoM-to-base of support deviation (RMSD) increased with target amplitude.
- Tracking and CoM response delays remained constant (0.5s and 1.0s, respectively).
- RMSE decreased at frequencies below 1.0 Hz, while normalized RMSE increased; RMSD decreased monotonically.
Conclusions:
- The BRT effectively quantifies amplitude- and frequency-dependent balance control in healthy young adults.
- Findings provide a benchmark for 'exemplar' performance, useful for workspace design and fall-prevention strategies.
- The BRT's lack of floor/ceiling effects makes it suitable for assessing aging and clinical populations at risk for falls.
