Variability of centre of pressure movement during gait in young and middle-aged women

Concurrent validation of the tandem walk test as a measure of dynamic walking balance in a healthy population

“…COP, in relation to dynamic walking balance, is the focal point of location of the vertical ground reaction force vector relative to thefoot in contact with the supporting surface which elicits a COP trajectory as the foot translates on the supporting surface [11,13]. The degree of variability within the COP trajectory has been used to quantify static and dynamic postural control in both normal and pathological populations with increased unilateral and side to side variability of the COP trajectory indicative of reduced dynamic walking balance capacity [11][12][13].…”

“…The degree of variability within the COP trajectory has been used to quantify static and dynamic postural control in both normal and pathological populations with increased unilateral and side to side variability of the COP trajectory indicative of reduced dynamic walking balance capacity [11][12][13]. COP measures [ length of gait line left/right (mm) which described the trajectory of the pressure center, accounted for all trajectory planar deviations, and assessed for individual ground contacts on one side of the body; single support line left/right(mm)quantified as the average length of the unilateral trajectory line which described the trajectory of the pressure center and accounted for all ground contacts; and single support line percent difference which described the single support line side to Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona).…”

“…These test batteries have been validated specifically for the elderly population which has been identified as a population predisposed to impaired dynamic walking balance and falls [8][9][10] hence, limiting these tests' capacity towards accurately depicting dynamic walking balance in a healthy, younger population. Measures of gait Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation variability (center of pressure (COP) [11][12][13], temporal [14][15][16][17][18], and spatial [19][20][21][22] measures) and balance systems, such as the Biodex Balance System (Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY) have commonly been used in the laboratory setting in an attempt to quantify and qualify dynamic walking balance.…”

“…Variability of the COP trajectory upon walking has demonstrated the capacity to discriminate between individuals with stable and unstable gait and has been used as a measure of dynamic walking balance [11][12][13]. COP variability was sensitive to age related changes in gait patterns between middle aged and young female healthy participants [11], utilized as a composite measure of center of mass (COM) and COP to quantify balance control during gait in fall prone and healthy elderly walkers [12], and successfully used to characterize measures of postural control/dynamic balance under both normal and neurologically impaired gait [13].…”

“…COP variability was sensitive to age related changes in gait patterns between middle aged and young female healthy participants [11], utilized as a composite measure of center of mass (COM) and COP to quantify balance control during gait in fall prone and healthy elderly walkers [12], and successfully used to characterize measures of postural control/dynamic balance under both normal and neurologically impaired gait [13].…”