BackgroundForce plates are frequently used for postural control assessments but they are expensive and not widely available in most clinical settings. Increasingly, clinicians are using this technology to assess patients, however, the psychometric properties of these less sophisticated force plates is frequently unknown. The purposes of the study were to examine the test-retest reliability of a force plate commonly used by clinicians and to explore the effect of using the mean value from multiple repetitions on reliability.MethodsThirty healthy volunteer adults were recruited. Postural control measures were obtained using the Midot Posture Scale Analyzer (MPSA). Data were collected in 2 sessions. Five successive repetitions each of 60 seconds duration were obtained from each participant in each session.ResultsThe reliability coefficients obtained using single measures were low (ICC3,1 = 0.06 to 0.53). The average of two measures allowed for reliable measurements of COP mean velocity and average location of COP. The average of three and five measures was required to obtain acceptable reliability (ICC ≥ 0.70) of relative weight bearing on legs and sway area, respectively. Higher measurement precision values were seen by averaging four or five repetitions for all variables.ConclusionSingle measures did not provide reliable estimates of postural sway, and the averaging of multiple repetitions was necessary to achieve acceptable levels of measurement error. The number of repetitions required to achieve reliable data ranged from 2 to 5. Clinicians should be wary of using single measures derived from similar equipment when making decisions about patients.
BackgroundThe broad use of force plates in clinical settings for postural control assessment suggests the need for instruments that are easy to use, affordable and readily available. In addition, these instruments of measurement should be reliable and valid as adequate reliability and validity are prerequisites to making correct inferences. The aim of this study was to examine the concurrent validity of postural control measures obtained with a clinical force plate.MethodsThirty-one healthy adults were recruited. Participants completed 1 set of 5 trials on each force plate. Postural control measures (centre of pressure [COP] average velocity and sway area) were collected and compared using the Midot Posture Scale Analyzer (clinical force plate) and the Accugait force plate (criterion measure). Intra class correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement , and paired t-tests were calculated and Bland-Altman plots were constructed to compare the force plates and assess consistency of measurement and agreement between them.ResultsThe ICC values (ICC = 0.14-0.60) between the two force plates were lower than the acceptable value for both COP average velocity and sway area. There was significant difference (p > 0.05) in COP average velocity and sway area between the force plates. Examination of the plots revealed that there is less difference between the force plates in lower magnitudes of COP for average velocity and sway area however, the greater the average velocity and sway area, the greater the difference between the measures obtained from the two force plates.ConclusionFindings of this study showed poor concurrent validity of the clinical force plate. This clinical force plate cannot be a replacement for known reliable and valid force plates and consequently measures obtained from this force plate should be treated with caution especially in a clinical population.
Abstract.Purpose: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to answer the following questions: 1. Does usage or weight of load carriage system cause pain, perceived exertion or discomfort? 2. Can load carriage system placement on the spine influence pain, perceived exertion or discomfort? 3. Can load carriage system design influence the amount of pain, perceived exertion or discomfort caused by their use? Method: Eight databases were searched. Each included study was analysed and quality appraised by two independent reviewers. Results: Forty-seven articles that addressed the research questions were included in the study. Significant variability in the study design and populations of the studies prevented data pooling and the evidence is conflicting. However, qualitative synthesis of the studies shows that carrying loads may provoke low back pain; and it may also trigger neck, thoracic and shoulder pain. Backpack weight can influence perceived pain, however other factors are involved. Discussion: There is conflicting but positive evidence on the correlation between backpack load carrying and experiencing pain during different stages of life. The research to date is lacking with the most commonly identified methodological deficiencies being poor overall design, the lack of justification of sample size, providing training sessions for examiners, and not utilising calibrated, valid and reliable instruments for measurement.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of hip belt use and load placement in a backpack on perceived exertion and postural stability. Thirty participants were instructed to stand on a force plate and walk along a designated route under five conditions: unloaded, high-load placement, low-load placement, hip belt on and hip belt off. The average velocity and sway area from the force plate were measured. Participants also rated their perceived stability and exertion. Compared to the unloaded condition, all loaded conditions significantly increased average velocity, sway area, perceived stability and exertion. Hip belt use did not affect average velocity and sway area; however, participants reported higher levels of stability and lower levels of exertion with hip belt use. Load placement did not affect average velocity, sway area, perceived stability or exertion. This study showed that wearing a backpack loaded to 20% of body weight reduced postural stability, while manipulation of load placement in a backpack did not affect subjective and objective measures of postural stability. Also, hip belt use only improved subjective measures of postural stability.
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