Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 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
Intersession reliability of center of pressure measurement during bipedal standing with different foot placement
Niloufar Fereshtenejad1, Shirin Saberi1, Fatemeh Pol1
1Musculoskeletal Research Center, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Introduction:
The foot placement is a determinant of the base of support and influences standing balance. The reliability of postural stability tests with different foot placement angles is unclear.
Research Question:
To determine and compare the intra- and inter-day reliability of the center of pressure-based postural stability while standing with different foot placement angles.
Method:
Twenty-five healthy adults (16 females and 9 males; age: 29 ± 6 years) completed 70 s trials of eyes open and eyes closed stability tests with 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45° angles between the feet while standing on a forceplate in three sessions: two sessions were in the same day, and the third session was one-week apart. The repeatability of measurements was tested using analysis of variance, interclass correlation, and standard error of measurements.
Result:
Throughout the three study sessions, there was no difference in postural stability while participants stood with different foot placement angles. The interclass correlation scores ranged from 0.71 to 0.96, the standard error of measurements ranged from 2.1% to 12.9%, and no significant systematic changes (p < 0.05) occurred between the testing sessions for any foot placements. Standing with a 45° angle between the feet with closed eyes showed higher reliability values than other conditions. The intra-day reliability scores were greater than inter-day reliability.
Discussion:
The relative reliability of postural stability could be impacted by foot placement angles, which might alter ankle mobility and base of support dimensions. The advantages of larger foot placement angles on improving the relative reliability of postural stability could be better demonstrated in healthy people under challenging conditions such as standing with closed eyes.
Conclusion:
Standing with foot placement angles between 0° and 45° are reliable and a quantitative assessment of the center of pressure could be used to monitor the changes in postural stability between sessions.
Related Concept Videos
03:37Uncertainty in Measurement: Accuracy and Precision
02:46Uncertainty in Measurement: Reading Instruments
01:21Sites for measuring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
01:28Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
01:12Taping Over Different Ground Profiles
01:16Measurement of Fluid Pressure
A basic form of manometer is the piezometer, a vertical tube open at the top and filled with the same...