Balance assessment for double and single leg stance using FIBOD balance system

Abstract

Physical balance is important to support human motion for almost all activities of daily living such as standing, sitting, cooking, housework or shopping. However, balance tends to drop as human grow older due to the loss of muscle. FIBOD balance system (FBS) is a balance system designed to be portable and easy to use. This study investigates the FBS balance measures with 17 healthy subjects. Results show significant differences in double-leg overall stability index (OSI) and medial-lateral stability index (MLSI) (p = 0.01), double-leg and dominant leg MLSI (p < 0.001), double-leg and non-dominant leg MLSI (p < 0.001), dominant leg OSI and non-dominant MLSI (p = 0.02), double-leg and dominant leg sway velocity (p = 0.02) and double-leg and non-dominant leg sway velocity (p < 0.001). The results were consistent with existing balance measure from other study. This study also found MLSI and sway velocity to be better features as balance indicator because they were more sensitive in detecting differences between double-leg stance against single-leg stance (dominant or non-dominant leg). Results from this study indicated that the portable FBS is a feasible alternative balance assessment system.