Balance Performance across the Lifespan Assessed by the Leonardo Mechanograph®: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Published in: Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology Vol. 5; no. 1; p. 1
• Main Authors: Wiegmann, Sabine, Felsenberg, Dieter, Gast, Ulf, Börst, Hendrikje, Armbrecht, Gabriele, Dietzel, Roswitha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 19.12.2019; MDPI
• Subjects: Equilibrium (Physiology); Physiological research; Posture; Germany; force plate; balance; COP; normative values; postural control; posturography; center of pressure; Leonardo Mechanograph
• ISSN: 2411-5142; 2411-5142
• DOI: 10.3390/jfmk5010001

Reference values of sway parameters have not been published for the Leonardo mechanograph® so far. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine normative values on postural control measured by the force plate Leonardo Mechanograph® and to analyze the influence of age and sex on balance performance. A set of standardized standing positions with eyes opened (Romberg, semi-tandem, tandem, unipedal standing) was carried out. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to detect age-and sex-related differences in center of pressure (COP) parameters (path length, velocity, elliptical area, anterior-posterior, and medio-lateral directions). Measurements were available for 570 subjects aged 20–86 years. Statistical analysis showed a high effect of age group on postural control (partial n² between 0.1 and 0.4) with a U-shaped dependency between postural control and age for all area- and path-related COP parameters, with the largest sway in the youngest (aged 20–40) and the oldest age group (aged 60–86). For velocity of COP, a linear deterioration with increasing age was found. Medio-lateral components of COP are likely to indicate the extent of postural control. Significant sex differences were not clearly supported by current findings. Age- and sex-related normative values are a useful resource for diagnostic, research, and training.