Analysis of biases in dynamic margins of stability introduced by the use of simplified center of mass estimates during walking and turning.
Kathryn L Havens, Tatri Mukherjee, James M Finley
PMID 29031999WHAT IT FOUND
Using fewer body markers to estimate the body's center of mass biased a dynamic balance measure during walking and turning, especially spin turns.
The study involved 12 healthy young adults, not patients.
Key findings
01Almost all simplified center of mass models showed bias in dynamic margins of stability during straight walking and turning.
02All simplified methods overestimated fore-aft dynamic margins of stability compared with the full-body reference.
03Mediolateral bias magnitude was larger during step and spin turns than straight walking, and larger during spin turns than step turns.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they found
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What it does not show
The study included only healthy young adults, so it does not show how these estimates behave in older adults or patients with balance disorders. The tasks were limited to straight walking and turns, so results may not apply to other tasks or conditions. The paper reports measurement bias in a laboratory marker system, not clinical balance outcomes or fall risk.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that simplified marker estimates can be used to measure balance in patients. The study tested only healthy young adults in a laboratory and did not evaluate clinical populations or fall outcomes.