Background: The Balance Tracking System (BTrackS) Limits of Stability (LOS) protocol is a relatively new means of evaluating unconstrained dynamic postural control ability. While the reliability of this protocol has previously been established, reference data is currently unavailable to assist in the interpretation of results.
Research Question: What are typical reference values for the BTrackS LOS protocol with respect to sex, height, and BMI?
Methods: A cross= -section of 800 healthy, young adults (aged 18-29 years; 368 men, 432 women) were administered the BTrackS LOS protocol. Sex, height and weight variables were also captured for the participants.
Results: Results of a stepwise linear regression showed that the outcome measure for BTrackS LOS testing (i.e. LOS Area) was larger in taller individuals and in men. Based on these findings, four percentile ranking categories were established and associated look-up tables created.
Significance: The reference values provided by this study offer much needed guidance to clinicians and researchers for the determination of dynamic balance abnormalities based on BTrackS LOS testing.
Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement DJG is eligible for royalties from a patent (US Patent 10,660,558, 2020) related to the technology used in this study. In addition, he has an equity stake (stock options) in Balance Tracking Systems, Inc. This financial conflict of interest is mitigated by a management plan put in place by his academic institution to ensure the integrity of his research. The other authors of this manuscript report no conflicts of interest in this work.
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