JLE

Annales de Gérontologie

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Reliability of center of pressure for elderly people and methodological perspective Volume 3, issue 1, mars 2010

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Authors
EA 2991, Efficience et Déficience Motrices ; UFR APS, 700 avenue du Pic saint Loup, 34090 Montpellier

Our goal was to analyze the reliability of stabilometric parameters of two tests seperated by one minute and for autonomic elderly people living at home. The sample group was composed of 98 subjects: 25 men and 73 women of average aged 67,9 (±1,1 years). They did not suffer from any locomotor and neurological disorders. They presented a maximal score of ADL (Activities of daily living) et IADL (Instrumental activities of daily living) test. All subjects were tested in experimental stabilometric conditions with open eyes on foam floor during 25,6 seconds at 5 hertz of frequency. The analysis of reliability by six differenciated methods showed intra-class correlation (ICC) between 0.67 and 0.80 for the surface parameter. ICC were higher for the lenght paramater with data between 0.80 et 0.89. For the medio-lateral projection (X) and antero-posterior projection (Y), ICC were placed between 0.74 et 0.85. This level of reliability was satisfying and autorizes an interpretation of geometric data obtained during stabilometric tests of elderly people. Nevertheless, further than those traditional parameters, we may observe the development of non-linear methodologies of temporal postural sway responses. In a short run, this approach will justify a new study of reliability and application on elders.