[Reliability of a measurement technique to characterise standing properties and to quantify balance capabilities of healthy subjects on an unstable oscillatory platform (Posturomed)].
BACKGROUND
Specific sensomotoric training is recommended to improve walking dysfunctions, prevent injurious falls or improve the reaction capacities of athletes. The oscillatory Posturomed platform can be used as a simple measuring procedure to characterise balance ability. Standard values for the one legged stance or test-retest reliability are unknown.


METHODS
55 healthy subjects (37 +/- 15 years) were tested during one legged stance on the unstable Posturomed platform. We recorded the total path of the platform in mm as balance recovery movements (BRM) as well as the ratio of failed attempts. To evaluate Test-Retest-Reliability, 12 subjects were retested one month later.


RESULTS
To maintain balance, healthy subjects required twice as many BRM in anterior-posterior (AP) direction (40.7 +/- 26 mm) as in medio-lateral (ML) (17.4 +/- 8 mm). 8 % of the recorded attempts were counted as failed attempts due to subjects' unstable standing. On average, subjects required 15.5 +/- 18 mm less BMR when standing on their stronger leg than on the other leg. Younger subjects (25 +/- 2 y) required less BMR than older (59 +/- 11 y) subjects (49.2 versus 64.7 mm, p = 0.006). Subjects with a high level of physical training required less BMR. Test-Retest measurements showed an average difference of 3.9 +/- 6.1 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
The Posturomed Platform can be used to evaluate stance ability and characterise the patterns of one legged stance. The measurements are reproducible, but include a small learning effect. Further studies including EMG could provide more understanding of neuromuscular control mechanisms and their adaption to training.
Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Abteilung Sportmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen. Johannes.Boeer@med.unituebingen.de
J
J
Boeer
O
O
Mueller
I
I
Krauss
G
G
Haupt
T
T
Horstmann
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004856:Postural Balance; D011434:Proprioception; D012016:Reference Values; D016474:Weight-Bearing
Zuverlässigkeitsprüfung eines Messverfahrens zur Charakterisierung des Standverhaltens und Quantifizierung des Balancevermögens auf einer instabilen Plattform (Posturomed).