The 4-Stage Balance Test
Original Editor - Gabriele Dara
Top Contributors - Gabriele Dara, Lucinda hampton, Admin, Kim Jackson and Shaimaa Eldib
Objective
[edit | edit source]
To evaluate static balance.
Intended Population
[edit | edit source]
The test is intended to be performed in the elderly population.
Method of Use[edit | edit source]
The test, performed from a standing position, involves 4 different tasks which are progressively increasing in difficulty. Each posture is maintained for a maximum of 10 seconds which are recorded by the therapist with a stopwatch. The latter is responsible for pronouncing "start" and "stop" at the beginning and end of each task respectively. If the subject is not able to sustain the posture for at least 10 seconds, the therapist must record the number of seconds which were completed.
In the first task, the subject is asked to maintain the standing position while keeping the feet side-by-side. Secondly, a semi-tandem stance is performed, the subject's preferred foot is placed forward. The next task requires a tandem stance. In the final task, the subject is asked to perform a single leg stance.
