Postural stability assessment method and its validation based on plantar three-partition distributed force measurement

Abstract

Based on the biomechanical properties of the foot, A novel distributed force measurement method was proposed, and then verified the effectiveness of using obtained distributed force for postural stability assessment. Twenty-seven young adults (youth group) and 39 older adults (elderly group) were randomly selected for stability measurements. The effectiveness of the force adjustment volume per unit time (PFAV) as a postural stability assessment variable was verified by correlation analysis with the average velocity of the center of pressure trajectory (CoPAV) and discrimination of the set stability difference conditions. The results showed that there was a moderate positive correlation between PFAV and CoPAV (P < 0.001, P < 0.01). The reliability of PFAV was higher than that of CoPAV (ICC coefficients of CoPAV and PFAV were 0.32–0.75 and 0.68–0.93, respectively). It was verified that PFAV is an effective and reliable postural stability assessment variable based on plantar distribution force measurement.