Normative Reference Value of Four Square Step Test among School-going Children

Abstract

Introduction: Dynamic Balance (DB) is the ability to maintain balance while the body is moving. The Four-Square Step Test (FSST) is a reliable and valid tool to assess DB in older populations. Previous research demonstrated the normative score of FSST for the community-dwelling older population. Aim: To estimate the reference score of FSST among 8 to 15-yearolds. Materials and Methods: FSST is a test that can be used for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes to evaluate an individual’s dynamic standing balance. A total of 90 School goers were recruited for this research. Participants had to cross the four sticks in a predetermined order. The sticks were each 90 cm long and were positioned in a cross pattern on the ground. They were instructed Shiwangi, BPT Intern UG Student, Department of Physiotherapy, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India. Sunanda Bhowmik, Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India. Normative Reference Value of Four Square Step Test among School-going Children Abstract ID-UG 10 not to touch any sticks when they were crossing them. The amount of time it took to complete the test was recorded. Results: The normative value of FSST was (mean±SD 11.43±1.24) Geometric mean (11.37), skewness (0.30), kurtosis (0.65), median (25, 75 IQR) 11.25 (11.25,12.07), range (8.00-15.00). Conclusion: The total time taken by the participants to finish the test was 9 to 12 seconds. Analysing these results against findings to previous research, children between the ages of 8 and 15 were found to finish the FSST faster than average adults. In clinical practice, the standard reference score may be employed to rule out abnormalities related to children’s DB.