Clinical measurements of spinal mobility, static balance, and functional performance in healthy participants: a simple biokinesiological analysis of performance.
Tarek Mohamed El-Gohary, Abdullah M Al-Shenqiti, Sameh R Ibrahim and 2 others
PMID 31645804WHAT IT FOUND
Healthy adults balanced on one leg much longer with eyes open than closed.
Walking on heels took longer and felt harder than tiptoes. Active participants had greater forward bending, but side-to-side differences and squat-to-stand times did not differ.
Key findings
01Single-leg stance was significantly longer with eyes open than with eyes closed for both the right and left legs.
02Walking on heels took significantly longer than walking on tiptoes, and the Borg exertion score was significantly higher for walking on heels.
03Recreationally active participants had significantly greater forward bending than inactive participants, while five-times squat-to-stand times did not differ.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
All participants were healthy, community ambulant adults aged 18 to 36 years, so the results do not describe patients with pain, neurological disease, or mobility limitations. The study tested no treatment and did not link measurements to patient outcomes, so it cannot show that a test improves care. Only 52 participants were studied, and the authors noted a wide body mass index range and the need for a larger sample with more challenging functional tests. A 60 second ceiling was used for single-leg stance, which may hide longer balance times in some participants. Recreational status was based on reported exercise, not measured activity, and some participants were underweight or overweight.
Declared interests
No conflict of interest was reported. Funding was not stated.
The easy way to misread this
Do not use these healthy young adult values as clinical norms for patients. The study measured 52 healthy, community ambulant adults aged 18 to 36 years and tested no treatment or patient outcome, so differences here do not show a patient is impaired.