title: Repeated single-limb postural stability testing elicits a practice effect.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To document the effects of repeated testing on the single-leg stance balance task.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single cohort repeated measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laboratory in an educational institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two healthy males and females.
  
  
  METHODS
  The number of errors (deviations from the required posture) during each 20-s trial summed over the eight conditions recorded on six occasions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant (p=.0013) decrease in the number of errors recorded over the six sessions, from 26.8 (95% CI: 23.1-30.5) to 19.7 (95% CI: 16.3-23.1). Linear regression confirmed a systematic decrease of 1.5 errors per session on average (95% CI: 1.0-1.9; p<.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The decreased number of errors (increased performance) with repeated testing alerts clinicians to the need for care when using this test protocol to measure rehabilitation interventions.
authors.affiliation: Kennedy Road Physiotherapy, Napier, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Anthony G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Schneiders
authors.forename: S John
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Melanie L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bell