title: Dynamic Balance Differences as Measured by the Star Excursion Balance Test Between Adult-aged and Middle-aged Women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Middle-aged women have less postural control than younger women. The Star Excursion Balance Test is a functional and inexpensive postural control measurement tool that is sensitive to age-related changes in balance.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The middle-aged females will experience lower excursion scores compared with the younger women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three healthy, recreationally active women were divided into 2 groups: adult-aged (n = 29; age range, 23-39 years) and middle-aged (n = 24; age range, 40-54 years). Each participant performed 3 reaches for 3 trials (anteromedial, medial, posteromedial) in a randomized order. The 3 reach trials were converted to a normalized value (percentage of participant's height) and assessed as an overall mean for the 1-way analysis of variance. Intraclass correlation coefficients and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences were found for body mass index and height; however, age was different between groups (P < 0.01). Intraclass correlation coefficient(2,3) values for the 3 directions ranged from 0.72 to 0.97. The adult-aged women were able to reach farther in all 3 directions when tested with the Star Excursion Balance Test (6.8-7.6 cm, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lower postural control scores based on the Star Excursion Balance Test were found for the older women. The younger women were able to reach approximately 7 cm farther during the anterior, anteromedial, and posteromedial excursions.
authors.affiliation: University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio.
authors.forename: Lucinda E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Bouillon
authors.forename: Joshua L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Baker