Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Frankston, Vic., Australia.
Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Frankston, Vic., Australia.
Acta Paediatr. 2020 Jan;109(1):175-182. doi: 10.1111/apa.14933. Epub 2019 Jul 30.
This research aimed to understand the influence of age, gender, height and body mass index (BMI) on balance ability in children aged 4-12 years. The secondary aim was to develop normative values for three balance tests on the Balance Master system.
Children were recruited in 2017 through community advertising. Balance testing occurred at three recreational centres in Frankston, Victoria, Australia. Data were collected by the Rhythmic Weight Shift, modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Limits of Stability balance tests of the Balance Master equipment. Multiple regression analysis determined associations between variables including age, gender, height and BMI.
There were 91 children recruited and consented. Children were aged between 4 and 12 years old. Balance ability was shown to improve with age (P < .05), with girls demonstrating more mature balance strategies at earlier ages. Decreased BMI was associated with greater balance ability and postural control (P < .05).
The normative values established may be used to support clinical paediatric assessment with this equipment. Findings of this study suggest that increased BMI may be associated with poorer balance ability in children. However, further research studies are needed to explore this assertion.
本研究旨在了解年龄、性别、身高和体重指数（BMI）对 4-12 岁儿童平衡能力的影响。次要目的是为平衡大师系统上的三项平衡测试制定规范值。
2017 年通过社区广告招募儿童。平衡测试在澳大利亚维多利亚州弗兰克斯顿的三个娱乐中心进行。数据由 Rhythmic Weight Shift、改良的临床感觉综合测试和平衡大师设备的稳定性极限测试收集。多元回归分析确定了年龄、性别、身高和 BMI 等变量之间的关联。
共有 91 名儿童被招募并同意参加。儿童年龄在 4 至 12 岁之间。平衡能力随着年龄的增长而提高（P<.05），女孩在更早的年龄表现出更成熟的平衡策略。较低的 BMI 与更好的平衡能力和姿势控制能力相关（P<.05）。
建立的规范值可用于支持该设备的临床儿科评估。本研究的结果表明，BMI 增加可能与儿童平衡能力较差有关。然而，需要进一步的研究来探讨这一说法。
