Reliability of Functional Balance Assessment Tests in Children aged 7-10 and its Correlation with Selected Anthropometric Parameters

The present study evaluates reliability of functional balance assessment tests in children aged 7-10 and its correlation with selected anthropometric parameters.

Population of the study includes 80 students aged 7-10 (40 female and 40 male). The Sharpened Romberg Test was used for static balance, while timed up and go test, Tandem walk test, and Y test were used for dynamic balance. To measure the selected anthropometric factors, height, Upper body length, lower body length, Foot length and body mass were used. Reliability was determined using ICC, and Pearson correlation was used for the relations between balance assessment test and selected anthropometric parameters at significance level of P≥0.05.

Static assessment tests were not reliable, but dynamic tests were reliable. No significant correlation was found between anthropometric parameters with static and dynamic tests p>0.05. However, there was a significant correlation between lower trunk length and Y test (p= 0.01, r= 0.53).

Considering the fact that balance sensory system in children aged 7-10 grows, static balance test that requires weighing the system with eyes open and closed is not a reliable measure. Thus, dynamic balance tests, particularly Y test, show better performance for children at this age range.