Citation

Suzuki Y, Yatoh S, Suzuki H, Tanabe Y, Shimizu Y, Hada Y, Shimano H. J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 2018; 30(1): 86-91.

Affiliation

Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (AMED-CREST), Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Society of Physical Therapy Science)

DOI

10.1589/jpts.30.86

PMID

29410573

PMCID

PMC5788782

Abstract

[Purpose] The efficacy of a stabilometer-based index of postural stability (IPS) as an indicator of dynamic balance ability was investigated. [Subjects and Methods] Using a stabilometer, we calculated the IPS in 583 healthy subjects (178 males, 405 females) under two conditions (open eyes/hard surface, OE/HS; closed eyes/soft surface, CE/SS). [Results] Results revealed a negative relation between IPS and age. IPS (OE/HS) began to decrease at middle-age (40-60 years old), and then decreased more rapidly during elderly ages (>60 years old). On the other hand, IPS (CE/SS) decreased linearly with increasing age. There was no gender difference between the two IPSs. [Conclusion] These results suggest that IPS can evaluate balance ability quantitatively and without a ceiling effect. It was concluded that IPS (OE/HS) indicates comprehensive balance ability, while IPS (CE/SS) reveals balance ability without compensation by visual acuity and plantar superficial sense.

Language: en

Keywords

Dynamic balance ability; Index of postural stability (IPS); Stabilometer