Revealing Subtle Age-Related Balance Differences: Applying Stock Market Indicators to Posturographic Analysis

Background/Objectives: Maintaining postural control is critical for preventing falls, especially in older adults, yet traditional center-of-pressure (COP) analyses may not capture subtle age-related balance impairments. In this study, we integrated a dynamic posturographic assessment-the Tiptoe Rising Test-with an innovative Trend Change Index (TCI) analysis, a method adapted from stock market technical indicators, to enhance the sensitivity of balance evaluations. Methods: Twenty-four healthy older adults (65+ years) and twenty healthy young adults (18-30 years) completed both the Limits of Stability (LOS) test and the Tiptoe Rising Test. During each assessment, COP data were continuously recorded via a force plate, and both conventional COP parameters (e.g., sway range, velocity, standard deviation) and dynamic TCI metrics (including TCI_dT, TCI_dS, TCI_dV, and TCI_per_s) were computed. Results: Our results indicate that while the LOS test showed limited group differences using standard COP measures-particularly during less dynamic phases-the TCI-derived indices revealed moderate to large effect sizes in capturing temporal and spatial fluctuations in postural adjustments. Notably, the Tiptoe Rising Test, with its inherently dynamic challenge, produced robust differences between young and older participants, with TCI metrics consistently demonstrating enhanced sensitivity in detecting subtle balance impairments. Conclusions: These findings suggest that incorporating TCI analysis with dynamic balance tasks, such as the Tiptoe Rising Test, provides a more comprehensive and discriminative assessment of postural control. This integrated approach holds promise for early detection of balance deficits and may inform targeted interventions aimed at fall prevention in the elderly population.