Adult performance on three tests of equilibrium

The purpose of this investigation was twofold: (a) to determine preliminary norms for young adult males and young adult females on three clinical tests of equilibrium, Tilt Board Tip (TBT), Tilt Board Reach (TBR), and Flat Board Reach (FBR), and (b) to determine sex differences in equilibrium performance. The three equilibrium tests were administered to a sample of 25 men and 29 women between the ages of 20 and 30 years. The results revealed a significant sex difference on TBT, with men obtaining significantly higher scores than women. FBR approached significance, and no significant difference was found on the TBR. These results support earlier findings of sex differences in performance on a variety of equilibrium measures and suggest that different normative criteria should be used to evaluate the performance of males and females on some tests of equilibrium. Possible reasons for males obtaining higher scores on TBT and for lack of differences between male and female performance on FBR and TBR are discussed.