Normative data for the btracks balance test concussion-management tool: Results from 10045 athletes aged 8 to 21 years

Abstract

Context: Balance tests are a recommended assessment of motor function in concussion protocols. The BTrackS Balance Test (BBT) is a tool for concussion balance testing that uses low-cost force-plate technology to objectively measure postural sway. Objective: To provide normative data for the BBT in a large population of athletes. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Concussion baseline testing at multiple facilities. Patients or Other Participants: Male and female athletes (n ¼ 10 045) ages 8 to 21 years. Intervention(s): Athletes performed three 20-second trials of eyes-closed standing on the BTrackS Balance Plate with feet shoulder-width apart and hands on hips. Main Outcome Measure(s): Postural sway was measured as the average total center-of-pressure path length over 3 testing trials. Results: Postural sway was reduced (ie, balance improved) as athlete age increased and was less in female athletes than in male athletes. Percentile ranking tables were calculated based on sex and 2-year age groupings. Conclusions: Our findings (1) provide context for BBT results performed in the absence of a baseline test, (2) can help mitigate athlete malingering, and (3) might identify individuals with latent neuromuscular injuries during baseline tests.