Gender Differences in Postural Stability in a Cohort of Adolescent Age

Abstract

Daily tasks necessitate improved locomotive abilities and movements, which are determined by an individual’s balance control. Body postures allows us to stay in a stable and balanced stance without falling. The present study examines postural stability in males and females using centre of pressure metrics in two planes for the adolescent group. Force data was collected in three directions (Fx, Fy, and Fz) using a standard force platform (SENSIX force plates) under two support and two visual conditions, including eyes-open, stand-up on two limbs (OB), eyes-closed, stand-up on two limbs (CB), eyes-open, stand-up on single limb (OO), eyes-closed, stand-up on single limb (CO). The CoP was determined in both the antero-posterior and medio-lateral planes. Two features were derived from the CoP data: sway and average velocity in both planes. The findings demonstrate that for all experimental conditions in both directions, CoP characteristics (sway and velocity) of male gender were significantly (p<0.05) higher than female gender. This work concludes that males have higher postural stability than females of similar age, indicating that hormonal variables such as thyroid, estrogens, and others reduce postural stability.