Standard reference values of the postural control in healthy female adults aged between 31 and 40 years in Germany: an observational study

Abstract

Background To detect deviations from a normal postural control, standard values can be helpful for comparison purposes. Since the postural control is influenced by gender and age, the aim of the present study was the collection of standard values for women between 31 and 40 years of age. Methods For the study, 106 female, subjectively healthy, German subjects aged between 31 and 40 years (35 ± 2.98 years) were measured using a pressure measuring platform. Results Their average BMI was 21.60 ± 4.65 kg/m2. The load distribution between left and right foot was almost evenly balanced with a median 51.46% load on the left [tolerance interval (TR) 37.02%/65.90%; confidence interval (CI) 50.06/52.85%] and 48.54% [TR 43.10/62.97%; CI 47.14/49.93%] on the right foot. The median forefoot load was 33.84% [TR 20.68/54.73%; CI 31.67/37.33%] and the rearfoot load was measured at 66.16% [TR 45.27/79.33%; CI 62.67/68.33%]. The median/mean body sway in the sagittal plane was measured 12 mm [TR 5.45/23.44 mm; CI 11.00/14.00 mm] and 8.17 mm in the frontal plane [TR 3.33/19.08 mm; CI 7.67/9.33 mm]. The median of the ellipse area is 0.72 cm2 [TR 0.15/3.69 cm2; CI 0.54/0.89°]. The ellipse width has a median of 0.66 cm [TR 0.30/1.77 cm; CI 0.61/0.78 cm] and the height of 0.33 cm [TR 0.13/0.71 cm; CI 0.30/0.37 cm]. The ellipse angle (sway, left forefoot to right rearfoot) has a mean of − 19.34° [TR − 59.21/− 0.44°; CI − 22.52/− 16.16°] and the ellipse angle sway from right forefoot to left rearfoot has a mean of 12.75° [TR 0.09/59.09°; CI 9.00/16.33°]. Conclusion The right-to-left ratio is balanced. The forefoot-to-rearfoot ratio is approximately 1:2. Also, the body sway can be classified with 12 and 8 mm as normal. The direction of fluctuation is either approx. 19° from the left forefoot to the right rearfoot or approx. 13° the opposite. Body weight, height, and BMI were comparable to the German average of women in a similar age group, so that the measured standard values are representative and might serve as baseline for the normal function of the balance system in order to support the diagnosis of possible dysfunctions in postural control.

Variability of Postural Stability and Plantar Pressure Parameters in Healthy Subjects Evaluated by a Novel Pressure Plate

“…Moreover, on each side, a larger load on the Ff (43%) with respect to the Mf and Rf was found in accordance with [ 18 ]. Previous studies [ 23 , 24 , 29 , 30 ] analysed Rf and Ff data exclusively, and with this subdivision, a largest Rf load was found. Eventually, on both feet, a larger Pmax on the Rf area (left = 67.3 KPa; right = 63.3 KPa) with respect to the Ff one was found in agreement with [ 29 ], while a larger Pmean in Ff with respect to other two regions was found with a median value of 59.1 KPa on the left side and 69.9 KPa on the right one.…”

“…Other studies assessed the repeatability and the reliability of novel pressure plates [ 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Finally, two studies defined the standard reference values of the postural control and pressure in the static condition as median [ 23 ] and as mean values [ 24 ], respectively. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous study analysed P-walk (FM12050 BTS-Bioengineering) resistive pressure plate and the intra-subject variability of plantar pressure and postural stability parameters in healthy subjects within the same day.…”

Body Weight Distribution and Body Sway in Healthy Female Adults Aged between 51 and 60 Years in Germany—Standard Values

“…Evidentially, frontal and sagittal balance variations increase with age, as can be seen on the basis of 41-50-year-old women with 13 and 16.5 mm, respectively [20]. However, lower values can also be found for the group of 31-40-year-old women with variations of 8.17 and 12 mm, respectively [19].…”

“…Similarly, data published by Cavanagh et al [17] from 108 healthy subjects (51 w/66 m) show that the rearfoot is loaded 60%, the metatarsus 8% and the forefoot 28%. Consideration of isolated age groups has also demonstrated a relatively balanced left-right balance distribution as well as forefoot and rearfoot loading in women aged 21-30 years (L 49.91%/R 50.09%; FF 33.33%/RF 66.67%) [18], 31-40 years (L 51.46%/R 48.54%; FF 33.84%/RF 66.16%) [19] and 41-50 years (L 51.00%/R 48.5%; FF 29.67%/RF 70.63%) [20]. Regarding the reference values of the postural variations, these are presented differently.…”

“…These studies, as well as the present analysis, are part of a large project [27] to analyze, systematically, balance ability and postural fluctuations in relation to age and gender. Parts of this have already been published [18][19][20]23,28], but the analysis with regard to age-and gender-specific aspects has not yet been fully completed.…”