Gender Differences in Static and Dynamic Postural Stability of Soldiers in the Army's 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Abstract

Postural stability is essential for injury prevention and performance. Differences between genders may affect training focus. To examine static and dynamic postural stability in male and female soldiers. Descriptive laboratory study. Biomechanics laboratory. 25 healthy female soldiers (26.4 ± 5.3y) and 25 healthy male soldiers (26.4 ± 4.9y) matched on physical demand rating and years of service from the Army's 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Each person underwent static and dynamic postural stability testing. Standard deviation of the ground reaction forces during static postural stability and the dynamic stability index for dynamic postural stability. Female soldiers had significantly better static postural stability than males but no differences were observed in dynamic postural stability. Postural stability is important for injury prevention, performance optimization, and tactical training. The differences observed in the current study may indicate the need for gender-specific training emphasis on postural stability.