Development of postural sway in the normal child

Area of Science:

• Pediatric balance and motor control research.
• Human biomechanics and developmental physiology.

Background:

• Understanding postural sway development is crucial for assessing neuromotor function in children.
• Previous research has indicated age-related changes in postural stability, but sex-specific differences require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age and sex differences in postural sway among healthy children.
• To analyze the characteristics of postural sway in different directions (sagittal and lateral) and under varying visual conditions (eyes open and closed).

Main Methods:

• Postural sway was measured using a force platform in 64 healthy children aged 3.5 to 17 years.
• Data were collected during quiet standing with eyes open and eyes closed.
• Analysis focused on sway amplitude and its relationship with age and sex.

Main Results:

• Boys under 10 years exhibited greater postural sway than girls.
• Postural sway amplitude decreased with age in boys, but not significantly in girls.
• Sway amplitude was consistently higher in the sagittal plane compared to the lateral plane.

Conclusions:

• Postural sway development shows distinct age and sex trajectories in children.
• The findings highlight the importance of considering sex and age when evaluating postural control in pediatric populations.
• Sagittal sway is a more prominent component of postural instability in children than lateral sway.