Lower Limb Asymmetry Evaluation Using the Balance Tracking System (BTrackS) Single Leg Stance Protocol.

Abstract

Single Leg Stance (SLS) balance testing is a common means of determining lower limb asymmetries in motor behavior. The Balance Tracking System (BTrackS) Balance Plate is a low-cost, portable force plate for objectively obtaining balance measurements. The present study provides the first known balance results for the BTrackS SLS protocol. BTrackS SLS testing was conducted on 161 young adults (90 women, 71 men) according to the test's standardized instructions. Specifically, participants performed one-legged (left or right) stance on the BTrackS Balance Plate for four, (2 practice, 2 actual) 20 s trials. SLS test outputs included total Center of Pressure path length and absolute symmetry index. Results showed that women had better SLS performance than men and that both sexes performed better on the actual compared to practice trial. Systematic one-sample t-tests of the Absolute Symmetry Index measures showed that a difference of 16% or greater between legs represented asymmetric performance. These results have clear value for individuals using BTrackS SLS testing to evaluate potential asymmetries. Additionally, these findings agree with previous reports showing sex differences favoring women on tests of static balance, and validate the use of a practice trial in the BTrackS SLS protocol.