Abstract
Background. The balance error scoring system (BESS) is a brief, easily administered test of static balance. The purpose of this study is to develop normative data for this test. Study Design. Cross-sectional, descriptive, and cohort design. Methods. The sample was drawn from a population of clients taking part in a comprehensive preventive health screen at a multidisciplinary healthcare center. Community-dwelling adults aged 20–69 (N = 1, 236) were administered the BESS within the context of a fitness evaluation. They did not have significant medical, neurological, or lower extremity problems that might have an adverse effect on balance. Results. There was a significant positive correlation between BESS scores and age (r = .34). BESS performance was similar for participants between the ages of 20 and 49 and significantly declined between ages 50 and 69. Men performed slightly better than women on the BESS. Women who were overweight performed significantly more poorly on the test compared to women who were not overweight (P < .0001; Cohen's d = .62). The BESS normative data are stratified by age and sex. Conclusions. These normative data provide a frame of reference for interpreting BESS performance in adults who sustain traumatic brain injuries and adults with diverse neurological or vestibular problems.
Highlights
Problems with balance and postural stability can arise from injuries or diseases affecting the vestibular system and/or brain
Balance can be adversely affected by a wide range of vestibular or neurological illnesses, injuries, or conditions
Age-associated declines in computerized dynamic posturography are well documented in the literature [25, 26]
Summary
The balance error scoring system (BESS) is a brief, administered test of static balance. The purpose of this study is to develop normative data for this test. Community-dwelling adults aged 20–69 (N = 1, 236) were administered the BESS within the context of a fitness evaluation. They did not have significant medical, neurological, or lower extremity problems that might have an adverse effect on balance. Women who were overweight performed significantly more poorly on the test compared to women who were not overweight (P < .0001; Cohen’s d = .62). The BESS normative data are stratified by age and sex. These normative data provide a frame of reference for interpreting BESS performance in adults who sustain traumatic brain injuries and adults with diverse neurological or vestibular problems
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