Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the possible concurrent validity of the tandem walk test as a measure of dynamic walking balance. Methods: Forty-nine healthy participants, age range 20-75 years (mean age 40.1 ± 17.1 years), performed the ten step tandem walk test and two clinical tests of dynamic balance using the Biodex Balance System (Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY) dynamic limits of stability protocol and measures of gait variability assessed through gait center of pressure, spatial, and temporal parameters derived from an instrumented treadmill (h/p/cosmos sports & medical gmbh, Nussdorf-Traunstein, Germany; Zebris FDM-T, Isny im Allgau, Germany). Results: A moderate-high correlation was demonstrated between the ten step tandem walk test eyes open and measures of gait variability, step width (r=0.64 p<0.05) and step time variability ( r=0.67 p<0.05), age (r=0.69 p<0.05), and Biodex Balance System dynamic limits of stability (r=0.81 p<0.05). A moderate relationship was found between the ten step tandem walk test eyes open and measures of gait center of pressure variability (r=0.52 p<0.05). Correlation coefficient values between the ten step tandem walk test eyes open and Biodex Balance System dynamic limits of stability, gait temporal, center of pressure, and spatial parameters demonstrated increased strength when adjusted for age. Conclusion: The ten step tandem walk test demonstrated a moderate to high relationship with clinical tests of dynamic balance: Biodex Balance System dynamic limits of stability and gait center of pressure, spatial, and time parameters in a healthy population demonstrating concurrent validity as an objective measure of dynamic walking balance in a healthy population between the ages of 20 and 75 years.

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Sports equipment such as athletic footwear is designed to prevent injury and/or improve performance. There is limited research about the effects of foot orthoses or shoe insoles on performance improvement via enhanced energetics. One possible solution to improve the energy storage and return of athletic footwear is to utilize a carbon fiber shoe insole (CFI) optimally tuned for the human body-footwear system. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a CFI on athletic performance. Thirty-four (15 males, 19 females) collegiate athletes performed a vertical jump, a pro agility test, and a 10-yard sprint while wearing normal athletic footwear and footwear incorporating a CFI. Vertical jump height was measured using a commercial Vertec device; pro agility test and 10-yard sprint times were measured using a laser timing system. The use of a CFI resulted in significant improvements in the vertical jump (+2.5%, p = 0.012) and the 10-yard sprint (+1.5%, p = 0.020), but not in the pro agility test. These results demonstrated a CFI can enhance speed/acceleration and power in collegiate athletes. Individual anatomical and biomechanical differences may influence the appropriate CFI stiffness required for each athlete to achieve maximal performance in sports involving running, jumping, and change-of-direction.

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