Citation

Conner BC, Petersen DA, Pigman J, Tracy JB, Johnson CL, Manal K, Miller F, Modlesky CM, Crenshaw JR. Gait Posture 2019; 73: 20-25.

Affiliation

Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States. Electronic address: crenshaw@udel.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.07.128

PMID

31299500

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Static balance performance is a common metric for evaluating the development of postural control in children. Less is known about the potentially independent development of dynamic balance performance. RESEARCH QUESTION: How does age relate to static (i.e. postural sway) and dynamic (i.e. stepping thresholds) standing balance performance, and what is the relationship between postural sway and stepping thresholds? METHODS: Twenty-six typically developing children (12 males, 14 females; 5-12 years of age) were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Static balance performance was quantified as the total path length during a postural sway assessment using a force platform with conditions of eyes open and eyes closed. Dynamic balance performance was quantified using a single-stepping threshold assessment, whereby participants attempted to prevent a step in response to treadmill-induced perturbations in the anterior and posterior directions. Relationships between age and body-size scaled measures of static and dynamic balance performance were assessed using Spearman rank correlations.

RESULTS: There was a weak correlation between age and postural sway (|r_s| < 0.10, p >  0.68), but a moderate-to-strong correlation between age and single-stepping thresholds (r_s > 0.68, p < 0.001). A weak correlation was found between postural sway and single-stepping thresholds (|r_s| < 0.20, p >  0.39). SIGNIFICANCE: Dynamic, but not static standing balance performance, may improve with typical development between the ages of 5 and 12 years. Static and dynamic balance should be considered as unique constructs when assessed in children.

Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Balance; Biomechanics; Margin of stability; Perturbation; Postural control