Stability and Balance provide simple, reliable metrics to assess an individual's overall balance capability.
Stability and Balance represent more fundamental and advanced balance capabilities respectively. Both biomarkers are optimized for reliability and utility by leveraging big data techniques but are based on standard posturography methodologies evaluating Center of Pressure (CoP) motion or “sway.” Higher values for each limb (and overall score) reflect less motion during the tasks and better balance capabilities.
While the metrics themselves are similar, they are each derived from different tasks or components of the Progressive Balance Scan:
Stability: fundamental capabilities of balance
The Stability task includes a dynamic weight shift to each side, keeping both feet on the ground to assess the most fundamental capabilities of balance.
Balance: advanced functional capabilities of balance
The Balance task includes a dynamic weight shift and single-leg balance to assess more advanced functional capabilities of balance.
What is a good score?
Stability and Balance values are normalized using our expansive database to provide contextual interpretation (e.g., gender, age) based on an expanding set of real-world data. Impairments in balance capabilities can be identified and monitored over time by identifying low or atypical total results and/or individual limb results.
Values for Stability and Balance typically range between 40 and 60 (with a population average of 50), with higher values representing better balance capabilities.
In general, a higher score is better, but what is "good" often needs to be interpreted within the context of the cohort (collegiate athlete vs. elderly) or environment (e.g., injured vs healthy). Age-based percentiles are also reported to provide context for interpretation.
Learn More: Utilizing and Interpreting the Balance Scan