Effects of anthropometric factors, age, gender, and foot posture on single leg balance performance in asymptomatic subjects

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of age, gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and foot posture on single leg standing balance performance. Methods: A total of 76 healthy young asymptomatic adults were enrolled (52 females and 24 males) with an age range of 19-49 years. Age, gender, height, weight, and BMI, foot posture (Foot Posture Index), and balance (Biodex Balance Systems) were assessed. Balance assessments were performed on the dominant leg. Results: A regression analysis showed that 43.2% of the anterior- posterior (AP) stability index score explained the total variance, and the effects of height (p=0.006, B=-4.387, β=-1.974, SD=1.554), weight (p=0.001, B=0.068, β=4.550, SD=0.020), and BMI (p=0.003, B=-0.171, β=-2.833, SD=0.056) found statistically significant. The regression analysis also revealed that 66.5% of the variance in the medial-lateral (ML) stability index score and age (p=0.026, B=0.003, β=0.173, SD=0.001) and weight (p=0.048, B=0.022, β=2.031, SD=0.011). Foot posture and gender were not statistically significant in both AP stability index and ML stability index (p>0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that age, and anthropometric factors (height, weight, and BMI) are potential markers for balance assessments. These results suggest that age and anthropometric factors play an important role in balance performance in asymptomatic subjects.