Establishing Normative Values for the Barnett Balance Assessment-Sit (BBA-SIT)

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive study was to collect quantitative, normative data for the Barnett Balance Assessment-Sitting (BBA-SIT), a newly-developed dynamic sitting balance assessment tool based on the Barnett Balance Assessment (BBA). The BBA-SIT was administered to a total of 180 participants (30 people in each of the following age categories: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+) who did not have any current balance deficits. A review of normative data collected indicated no variation in the total assessment scores within and between groups. Future research on the BBA-SIT is needed with balance-impaired populations to determine if the BBA-SIT is sensitive enough to identify subtle differences in dynamic sitting balance in individuals with various levels of balance impairment.