Concurrent Determination of Reliability and Validity of Force Platform, Danesh Salar-e Iranian, Using Kistler's Platform in Measuring Static Balance of Men and Women Athletes; A Descriptive-Surveying Study

Introduction:

 The aim of the current research was to concurrently determine the reliability and validity of force platform device, Danesh Salar-e Iranian, using Kistler's platform device in measuring the static balance of men and women </em>athletes.

Participants consisted of 50 athletes (25 men and 25 women) from Isfahan City, Iran, who were selected using a purposive convenience sampling method. The research instrument included the force platform device of Danesh Salar-e Iranian model and Kistler's platform device. The subjects tried to keep their static balance on each of the force platforms for 40 seconds with eyes open and eyes closed. After 48-72 hours, test-retest was done under the same conditions as the first test. Each test repeated three times. To measure internal and time reliability, the within-group and between-group correlation tests were used. To measure the concurrent validity, the Pearson correlation test was used. The significance level was set at P < 0.05.

Results:

Kistler's platform had internal reliability in all open- and closed-eyes parameters; while the Danesh Salar-e Iranian force platform had internal reliability in all closed-eyes parameters. Both the force platform deviceshad time stability in all open-eyes parameters. Kistler's platform had time stability in all closed-eyes parameters (except total oscillation), too. In addition, there was a significant correlation in all variables between the two force platform devices.

Conclusion:

 Danesh Salar-e Iranian force platform is a valid and reliable equipment to measure the static balance in men and women </em>athletes in most parameters. Technical improvements of the equioment can increase the psychometric parameters of this tool, as well as its usability and effectiveness. This can promote national production, and pave the way for economic growth, national efficiency, and emancipation of dependency.