Factors Affecting Balance Performance in Adolescents.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Sciences
• Human Movement Science
• Pediatric Health

Background:

• Assessing adolescent balance involves functional tests targeting specific components.
• Understanding factors influencing balance is crucial for development and injury prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of age, sex, anthropometrics, and trunk extensor muscle endurance on adolescent balance.
• To determine predictors for static and functional balance in healthy adolescents.

Main Methods:

• 110 healthy adolescents (12-18 years) underwent static (Single Leg Stance - Eyes Open/Closed) and functional (Functional Reach Test, Lateral Reach Test) balance assessments.
• Correlational and univariate linear regression analyses examined predictors including age, sex, body composition, and trunk muscle endurance.

Main Results:

• Older age and better trunk extensor muscle endurance predicted Single Leg Stance with Eyes Open performance.
• Younger age and higher muscle percentage predicted Lateral Reach Test performance.
• Greater bone mass predicted Functional Reach Test results; no predictors affected Single Leg Stance with Eyes Closed.

Conclusions:

• Age, trunk extensor muscle endurance, muscle percentage, and bone mass are significant predictors of specific adolescent balance components.
• Balance is demonstrated to be task-specific, with varying predictors for different tests.
• The ability to maintain balance when eyes are closed was not significantly predicted by the factors studied.