Quantitative evaluation of postural balance utilizing pressure plate: Findings from 1526 healthy Chinese individuals aged 20–80

Background

The ability to maintain postural balance is essential for daily activities and is often assessed by measuring postural sway using pressure plates. However, there is a lack of large-sample studies evaluating balance in healthy populations.

Research question

What are the normative data on postural balance in healthy Chinese individuals, and how do age, sex, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) correlate with postural balance parameters?

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1526 healthy individuals aged 20–80 years. Postural balance was evaluated using a pressure plate, and 14 center of pressure (COP) parameters were recorded. All COP parameter results were normalized based on foot area (foot length × bipedal width). Statistical analyses assessed correlations and percentiles.

Results

Balance were consistently greater for males than for females across all ages and eye conditions. The difference became statistically significant for both males and females after 40–49 years. Balance began to deteriorate for males in the 40–49 age group, while for females, deterioration began in the 50–59 age group. Anthropometric parameters, including height, weight, and BMI, demonstrated weak or no correlation with COP parameters. The closed-eye condition consistently showed significantly greater COP values than the open-eye condition.

Significance

This study provides comprehensive normative data on COP parameters, offering a valuable reference for quantitative assessment of postural balance. Notably, balance ability declines with age in both males and females, but declines earlier in males, with females consistently demonstrating better balance across age groups. These insights into age- and sex-related differences in balance may support targeted interventions to enhance postural stability in Chinese adults.