The Timed-up-and-go-test is the most used, but if you really want a better evaluation and balance training you could use the "Assessment Tool TOB balance Trainer"

Hi Florian,

What specifically do you mean by postural regulation? 

There are a number of clinician-oriented assessments that can be done in the field that measure postural control.  For example, the Balance Error Scoring System (static), Time in Balance (static), Foot-Lift Test (static) or the Star Excursion Balance Test (dynamic) require little equipment and space.  However, both are frequently used in laboratory based investigations when looking at postural control and the strategies used (kinematic analysis of the movement). 

If you are more interested in the weighting of sensory information, then I would suggest the Clinical Test of Sensory Integration in Balance (static).  Again, minimal equipment and space but allows for a estimation of what sources of sensory information is being emphasized by an individual to maintain their balance.

If your population is young and athletic, I would recommend the Star Excursion as it is dynamic in nature and predictive of lower extremity injury.  I hope this helps.

Erik

I think the most common is both static and dynamic analysis of plantar support , and digital podoscope your swing , so the latter have objective data that will serve to laboratory study .

greeting

Is there a test for dynamic balance regulation on a force plate? If there is one: is it reliable?

Several investigators have performed the Star Excursion Balance Test while standing on a force plate and it is a reliable dynamic test.  There are postural control measures associated with a jump landing on a force plate (time to stabilization or the dynamic postural control index).  Some groups will cause a perturbation to participants while on a force plate to quantify the dynamic reaction.  We have used force plates to capture the kinetics of gait initiation and gait termination while using the COP excursion and other outcomes during the task.  The reliability has been established for some (TTS, DPSI) but not for all.

Hope this helps.

Erik

Good or normal balancing in otherwise healthy children is dependant on having a true optimal body posture and a optimal stretched nervous system that allows the complete ROM of the whole system. If you are "stiff" the balancing processes cannot achieve optimalisation.  The growth of both systems, the skeleton in its natural curved appearance and the CNS The majority of children do not reach both , mainly by the passive sedentary lifestyle from birth on ( discongruent neuro-osseous growth relations)  The spine as the chassis of our body cannot develop properly to the most natural curvature because of a lack in extension, stretching in backward direction leading to kyphotic changes in first the thoracolumbar spine.

Along this line of anatomic -physiologic thinking ( Form follows function) there are some simple tests described that can offer insight in this widespread malalignement leading to the biggest socioeconomic burden in countries, where the "western lifestyle"with its chairs and electronic devices.

We are now in a process to validate these ( simple clinical) tests :1. straight leg raising tests in children, separate and together( to test refectory spasm of the core muscles),

2 sitting posture test of the trunk with stretched legs on a coach and sitting on the edge ( mobility and correct-ability of deformation)  

3. bending test forward and assessment from lateral: finger -floor distance as a measure for neuromusculair tightness and assessing the form of the flexed spine< in modern youth almost 70% do have an abnormal  curvature with angular kyphosis ( wedged vertebrae) and round backs ( underdevelopment of the discs) . 

There is world to be win to get proper balancing as the most natural proof of good postures and a optimal relaxation of the CNS back in growing children. The German orthopedic world around 1900 succeeded in this task by implementing orthopedisc schoolgymnsatics, orthopedic schoolfurniture and widespread knowledge on good bodily development  amongst all parents , schoolteachers and their strong preventive medical apparatus.

I am a bit surprised not to see functional Gait Assessment or Berg Balance mentioned. Perhaps I skimmed too quickly.

Good Afternoon---Using a forceplate, I would recommend employing the Modified Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction in Balance. This test can capture subtle changes observed among athletes with balance disturbances (as in concussion). I agree with Dr. Lawson, the Functional Gait Assessment or Fullerton Advanced Balance Scales can also be utilized.