Changes In Balance Performance Research Articles

Visual Data Exploration for Balance Quantification in Real-Time During Exergaming.

Unintentional injuries are among the ten leading causes of death in older adults; falls cause 60% of these deaths. Despite their effectiveness to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls, balance training programs have several drawbacks in practice, such as lack of engaging elements, boring exercises, and the effort and cost of travelling, ultimately resulting in low adherence. Exergames, that is, digital games controlled by body movements, have been proposed as an alternative to improve balance. One of the main challenges for exergames is to automatically quantify balance during game-play in order to adapt the game difficulty according to the skills of the player. Here we perform a multidimensional exploratory data analysis, using visualization techniques, to find useful measures for quantifying balance in real-time. First, we visualize exergaming data, derived from 400 force plate recordings of 40 participants from 20 to 79 years and 10 trials per participant, as heat maps and violin plots to get quick insight into the nature of the data. Second, we extract known and new features from the data, such as instantaneous speed, measures of dispersion, turbulence measures derived from speed, and curvature values. Finally, we analyze and visualize these features using several visualizations such as a heat map, overlapping violin plots, a parallel coordinate plot, a projection of the two first principal components, and a scatter plot matrix. Our visualizations and findings suggest that heat maps and violin plots can provide quick insight and directions for further data exploration. The most promising measures to quantify balance in real-time are speed, curvature and a turbulence measure, because these measures show age-related changes in balance performance. The next step is to apply the present techniques to data of whole body movements as recorded by devices such as Kinect.

Striatal functional connectivity changes following specific balance training in elderly people: MRI results of a randomized controlled pilot study

BackgroundPractice-induced effects of specific balance training on brain structure and activity in elderly people are largely unknown. AimIn the present study, we investigated morphological and functional brain changes following slacking training (balancing over nylon ribbons) in a group of elderly people. MethodsTwenty-eight healthy volunteers were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention (mean age: 62.3±5.4years) or control group (mean age: 61.8±5.3years). The intervention group completed six-weeks of slackline training. Brain morphological changes were investigated using voxel-based morphometry and functional connectivity changes were computed via independent component analysis and seed-based analyses. All analyses were applied to the whole sample and to a subgroup of participants who improved in slackline performance. ResultsThe repeated measures analysis of variance showed a significant interaction effect between groups and sessions. Specifically, the Tukey post-hoc analysis revealed a significantly improved slackline standing performance after training for the left leg stance time (pre: 4.5±3.6s vs. 26.0±30.0s, p<0.038) as well as for tandem stance time (pre: 1.4±0.6s vs. post: 4.5±4.0s, p=0.003) in the intervention group. No significant changes in balance performance were observed in the control group. The MRI analysis did not reveal morphological or functional connectivity differences before or after the training between the intervention and control groups (whole sample). However, subsequent analysis in subjects with improved slackline performance showed a decrease of connectivity between the striatum and other brain areas during the training period. ConclusionThese preliminary results suggest that improved balance performance with slackline training goes along with an increased efficiency of the striatal network.

Responsiveness of the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) in People With Subacute Stroke.

The reliability and convergent validity of the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) in people with subacute stroke have been established, but its responsiveness to rehabilitation has not been examined. The study objective was to compare the responsiveness of the BESTest with those of other clinical balance tools in people with subacute stroke. This was a prospective cohort study. Forty-nine people with subacute stroke (mean age=57.8 years, SD=11.8) participated in this study. Five balance measures-the BESTest, the Mini-BESTest, the Berg Balance Scale, the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients, and the Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB&M)-were used to measure balance performance before and after rehabilitation or before discharge from the hospital, whichever came first. The internal responsiveness of each balance measure was classified with the standardized response mean (SRM); changes in Berg Balance Scale scores of greater than 7 were used as the external standard for determining the external responsiveness. Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the accuracy and cutoff scores for identifying participants with balance improvement. Participants received 13.7 days (SD=9.3, range=5-44) of physical therapy rehabilitation. The internal responsiveness of all balance measures, except for the CB&M, was high (SRM=0.9-1.2). The BESTest had a higher SRM than the Mini-BESTest and the CB&M, indicating that the BESTest was more sensitive for detecting balance changes than the Mini-BESTest and the CB&M. In addition, compared with other balance measures, the BESTest had no floor, ceiling, or responsive ceiling effects. The results also indicated that the percentage of participants with no change in scores after rehabilitation was smaller with the BESTest than with the Mini-BESTest and the CB&M. With regard to the external responsiveness, the BESTest had higher accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and posttest accuracy than the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients and the CB&M for identifying participants with balance improvement. Changes in BESTest scores of 10% or more indicated changes in balance performance. A limitation of this study was the difference in the time periods between the first and the second assessments across participants. The BESTest was the most sensitive scale for assessing balance recovery in participants with subacute stroke because of its high internal and external responsiveness and lack of floor and ceiling effects.

Benefits of multi-session balance and gait training with multi-modal biofeedback in healthy older adults

Real-time balance-relevant biofeedback from a wearable sensor can improve balance in many patient populations, however, it is unknown if balance training with biofeedback has lasting benefits for healthy older adults once training is completed and biofeedback removed. This study was designed to determine if multi-session balance training with and without biofeedback leads to changes in balance performance in healthy older adults; and if changes persist after training. 36 participants (age 60–88) were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups trained on seven stance and gait tasks for 2 consecutive weeks (3×/week) while trunk angular sway and task duration were monitored. One group received real-time multi-modal biofeedback of trunk sway and a control group trained without biofeedback. Training effects were assessed at the last training session, with biofeedback available to the feedback group. Post-training effects (without biofeedback) were assessed immediately after, 1-week, and 1-month post-training. Both groups demonstrated training effects; participants swayed less when standing on foam with eyes closed (EC), maintained tandem-stance EC longer, and completed 8 tandem-steps EC faster and with less sway at the last training session. Changes in sway and duration, indicative of faster walking, were also observed after training for other gait tasks. While changes in walking speed persisted post-training, few other post-training effects were observed. These data suggest there is little added benefit to balance training with biofeedback, beyond training without, in healthy older adults. However, transient use of wearable balance biofeedback systems as balance aides remains beneficial for challenging balance situations and some clinical populations.

NORMAL VALUES AND FACTORS AFFECTING FUNCTIONAL REACH TEST IN SAUDI ARABIA SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT

Background: The most critical feature of motor development is the ability to balance the body in sitting or standing. Impaired balance limits a child’s ability to recover from unexpected threats to stability. The functional reach test (FRT) defines the maximal distance an individual is able to reach forward beyond arm’s length in a standing position without loss of balance, taking a step, or touching the wall. The Purpose of this study was to establish the normal values for FRT in Saudi Arabia school children with typical development and to study the correlation of anthropometric measures with FRT values.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Almadinah Almonawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A total of 280 children without disabilities aged 6 to 12 years were randomly selected. Functional reach was assessed by having subjects extend their arms to 90 degrees and reach as far forward as they could without taking a step. Reach distance was recorded by noting the beginning and final position of the subject's extended arm parallel to a yard stick attached to the wall. Three successive trials of FRT were performed and the mean of the three trials was calculated. Pearson product moment correlation was used to examine the association of FR to age, and anthropometric measures.Results: Normal mean values of FR ranged from 24.2cm to 33.95cm. Age, height and weight significantly correlate with FRT.Conclusion: The FRT is a feasible test to examine the balance of 6-12 year-old children. FRT may be useful for detecting balance impairment, change in balance performance over time.

Test-Retest Reliability of the sway Balance Mobile Application

Background: The SWAY Balance Mobile Application is an FDA-cleared balance testing system which uses the built-in tri-axial accelerometers of a mobile electronic device to objectively assess postural movement. The system was designed to provide a means of quantitative balance assessment in clinical and on-field environments. The purpose of this study was to determine the intrasession and intersession reliability, as well as the minimum difference to be considered real, of the SWAY Balance Mobile Application. Methods: 24 individuals (15 male, 9 female; aged 25.96 (95.78 years)) performed the SWAY Balance protocol twice per testing session over a period of three testing sessions. Each testing session was separated by a minimum of seven days. Interclass Correlation Coefficients were calculated as an indication of the test-retest reliability. The minimum difference to be considered real was calculated to determine the minimum score change necessary to indicate an actual change in balance performance. Results: Mean SWAY Balance scores ranged from 86.90 (914.37) to 89.90 (911.19). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant mean differences between SWAY balance scores of the experimental trials (F(5,115) 0.673; p 0.65). Excellent reliability was found (ICC(3,1) 0.76; SEM 5.39) with a minimum difference to be considered real of approximately 15. Conclusions: Results indicate that SWAY provides excellent overall reliability. However, it may be appropriate to have subjects perform a familiarization trial at the beginning of each testing session. Additionally, SWAY may demonstrate a ceiling effect when assessing balance improvements in those who already demonstrate good balance.

Changes in the balance performance of polish recreational skiers after seven days of alpine skiing.

Alpine skiing is one of the most popular leisure time winter sporting activities. Skiing imposes high requirements concerning physical fitness, particularly regarding balance abilities. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in balance performance of recreational skiers after a seven-day ski camp. A total of 78 students - 24 women and 54 men - participated in the study. The ski course was held in accordance with the official program of the Polish Ski Federation. The study sample was comprised of 43 beginners and 35 intermediate skiers. All students were tested with the MFT S3-Check, the day before and the day after the ski camp. The test system consisted of an unstable uniaxial platform, with an integrated sensor and corresponding software. Changes in balance performance (sensory and stability index) were evaluated using paired t-tests. Additionally, changes in sensory and stability categories, which were based on the norm data, were analyzed. Female and male participants showed significantly better sensory and stability indices after skiing. Considerable changes from weak or very weak to average or good balance categories could be seen after skiing for both sexes. Regarding skiing experience, both beginners and intermediate skiers improved their sensory and stability indices significantly after skiing. Hence, recreational alpine skiing resulted in better balance performance regardless of sex or skiing experience. Skiing as an outdoor activity offers the opportunity to improve balance performance with a positive impact on everyday life activities.

Behavioral assessment of the aging mouse vestibular system.

Age related decline in balance performance is associated with deteriorating muscle strength, motor coordination and vestibular function. While a number of studies show changes in balance phenotype with age in rodents, very few isolate the vestibular contribution to balance under either normal conditions or during senescence. We use two standard behavioral tests to characterize the balance performance of mice at defined age points over the lifespan: the rotarod test and the inclined balance beam test. Importantly though, a custom built rotator is also used to stimulate the vestibular system of mice (without inducing overt signs of motion sickness). These two tests have been used to show that changes in vestibular mediated-balance performance are present over the murine lifespan. Preliminary results show that both the rotarod test and the modified balance beam test can be used to identify changes in balance performance during aging as an alternative to more difficult and invasive techniques such as vestibulo-ocular (VOR) measurements.

Measures of Balance Performance Are Affected by a Rested Versus Fatigued Testing Condition in People With Multiple Sclerosis

To investigate the effects of a rested and fatigued testing condition on measures of balance in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Prospective observational study. Academic research laboratory. Fifteen ambulatory adults with relapsing remitting or secondary progressive MS with moderate disability. Measures of postural control, dynamic balance, and fatigue were assessed during a "rested" and "fatigued" testing condition on separate days. Static posturography was used to assess postural control. The Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test and Dynamic Gait Index were used to assess dynamic balance. The chronic fatigue level was measured by using the Fatigue Severity Scale, and acute fatigue was assessed by using a visual analog scale at multiple time points during testing. During the fatigued condition, the participants reported a significant (P < .05) increase in acute fatigue levels (visual analog scale) and demonstrated a significant (P < .05) decrease in performance on measures of postural control and dynamic balance when compared with the rested condition. However, no significant relationship was identified between the changes in fatigue and changes in balance performance. Measures of balance performance and acute fatigue may be affected by rested versus fatigued testing conditions in people with MS. However, no significant relationships between changes in balance and fatigue were identified. Therefore, clinicians should use caution when making assumptions about the influence of fatigue on balance performance and should test for individual responses. Clinicians and researchers should also consider controlling for factors such as time of day and prior physical activity when administering standardized measures of balance in people with MS.

Gender-differences in the associations of anthropometry with postural sway in feet-together stance

In research for investigation of static balance performance, postural sway variables have often been normalized by each subject’s height. However, evidence for such normalization has been insufficient. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of anthropometry with postural sway and their possible gender differences. Forty young subjects (20 men and 20 women) performed quiet standing on a force platform in feet-together stance. Significant gender differences were observed in the correlation of outcome measures with anthropometry. In women, postural balance performance deteriorated (sway size increased and mean stable time reduced) and sway frequencies increased with height and weight. In contrast, men showed insignificant change in balance performance, but a reduction in sway frequency with height and weight. Stepwise multiple regressions revealed that height and weight were the major determinants of outcome measures, and that their effects on outcome measures differed between genders. Extreme care must be taken in normalization of postural sway variables by anthropometric data.

The effect of close proximity holographic wristbands on human balance and limits of stability: A randomised, placebo-controlled trial

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of holographic technology wristbands on human balance and stability performance. Forty-two individuals volunteered to participate in the study. A performance technology silicone wristband containing two holograms was utilised as the 'Device'. A 'placebo' performance technology silicone wristband was utilised where the two holograms were removed and replaced with two stainless steel discs to the same dimensions and weight as the Device. Each participant was randomly allocated into two different testing protocol groups: Protocol 1 (Device-baseline-placebo) and Protocol 2 (placebo-baseline-Device). One week following the initial testing, the Protocol 1 group was tested under the conditions of Protocol 2, and vice versa, so that all participants were taken through both protocols. Results indicated that there was no statistically significant mean change in balance performance brought about by either the placebo or the Device. Notably, the sample data indicated an overall decrease in balance and stability. However, these mean changes are still within the bounds of what would be expected assuming the Device had no overall effect. The findings of this study indicate that holographic technology wristbands have no effect on human balance and stability performance.

Balance Performance in Head-Shake Computerized Dynamic Posturography: Aging Effects and Test-Retest Reliability

The ability of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) to detect subtle balance problems has been challenged. The Head-Shake Sensory Organization Test (HS-SOT) has been developed to improve the delineation of balance performance. The purposes of this study were: (1) to examine age-related differences in balance measured with the HS-SOT and (2) to establish the test-retest reliability of the HS-SOT in younger adults who were healthy and older adults who were healthy. A test-retest design was used in this observational measurement study. Ninety-two younger adults who were healthy (mean age=28.3 years) and 73 older adults who were healthy (mean age=60.3 years) underwent the SOT and the HS-SOT. Seventy-seven of them (56 younger adults, 21 older adults) underwent the same assessments 1 to 2 weeks later. The equilibrium scores in HS-SOT conditions 2 (head movements with eyes closed while standing on a firm surface) and 5 (head movements with eyes closed while standing on a sway-referenced surface) were significantly lower than those in tests without dynamic head movements added (SOT conditions 2 and 5). Older adults attained significantly lower scores in both HS-SOT conditions than their younger peers. The test-retest reliability values, reported as intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC [3,2]), of the HS-SOT scores in conditions 2 and 5 for the younger adults were .85 and .78, respectively; those for the older adults were .64 and .55, respectively. The corresponding minimal detectable change values for the former were 2.7 and 16.2, and those for the latter were 3.6 and 22.7. Only head rotation movements on the horizontal plane were tested. Adding head movements to the SOT increased the separation of younger adults who were healthy and older adults who were healthy. The HS-SOT has good reliability, and the reported minimal detectable change values may facilitate the interpretation of clinical studies in which the HS-SOT is used to assess changes in balance performance in younger and older adults.

Effectiveness of balance training exercise in people with mild to moderate severity Alzheimer's disease: protocol for a randomised trial

BackgroundBalance dysfunction and falls are common problems in later stages of dementia. Exercise is a well-established intervention to reduce falls in cognitively intact older people, although there is limited randomised trial evidence of outcomes in people with dementia. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate whether a home-based balance exercise programme improves balance performance in people with mild to moderate severity Alzheimer's disease.Methods/designTwo hundred and fourteen community dwelling participants with mild to moderate severity Alzheimer's disease will be recruited for the randomised controlled trial. A series of laboratory and clinical measures will be used to evaluate balance and mobility performance at baseline. Participants will then be randomized to receive either a balance training home exercise programme (intervention group) from a physiotherapist, or an education, information and support programme from an occupational therapist (control group). Both groups will have six home visits in the six months following baseline assessment, as well as phone support. All participants will be re-assessed at the completion of the programme (after six months), and again in a further six months to evaluate sustainability of outcomes. The primary outcome measures will be the Limits of Stability (a force platform measure of balance) and the Step Test (a clinical measure of balance). Secondary outcomes include other balance and mobility measures, number of falls and falls risk measures, cognitive and behavioural measures, and carer burden and quality of life measures. Assessors will be blind to group allocation.Longitudinal change in balance performance will be evaluated in a sub-study, in which the first 64 participants of the control group with mild to moderate severity Alzheimer's disease, and 64 age and gender matched healthy participants will be re-assessed on all measures at initial assessment, and then at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months.DiscussionBy introducing a balance programme at an early stage of the dementia pathway, when participants are more likely capable of safe and active participation in balance training, there is potential that balance performance will be improved as dementia progresses, which may reduce the high falls risk at this later stage. If successful, this approach has the potential for widespread application through community based services for people with mild to moderate severity Alzheimer's disease.Trial registrationThe protocol for this study is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12608000040369).

The effects of a `home-based' task-oriented exercise programme on motor and balance performance in children with spastic cerebral palsy and severe traumatic brain injury

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and the ability to recruit and retain children with severe traumatic brain injury or cerebral palsy, and their families, to a simple home-based exercise programme and to assess the immediate and short-term effects of such intervention on reducing impairment and improving function. Study design: Randomized clinical trial. Participants: Twenty children aged 7—13 years, with traumatic brain injury (N = 10) or cerebral palsy (N = 10) who were independent ambulators. Five children from each group were randomly assigned to a control group — regular daily activities, or to an experimental group — regular daily activities plus a home-based task-oriented exercise programme of sit-to-stand and step-up exercise, for six weeks. Outcome measures: Feasibility: The number of participants who completed the programme protocol. Efficacy: Timed Up and Go Test and Functional Reach Test were used as functional balance tests. Maximal isometric strength was assessed by using a hand-held dynamometer; walking performance was assessed by the 10 m walk test, 2-minute walk test and Energy Expenditure Index. Results: Nine children completed all parts of the training programme. At the end of the intervention period an increase of 3—4 cm in the mean Functional Reach Test and a reduction of 1.6 ± 2.1 seconds in the Timed Up and Go Test were noted (P<0.01) in the experimental group while no changes were noted in the control group. In all other outcomes assessed no significant differences were noted between groups. The positive change in balance performance in the experimental group was maintained during a six-week follow-up period. Conclusions: A home-based task-oriented exercise programme can improve balance performance in children with spastic cerebral palsy or severe traumatic brain injury.

A Randomized Control Trial of the Application of Efficacy Training to Balance Assessment

Reduced balance confidence often translates into a fear of falling, which reinforces a sedentary lifestyle.Purpose: A self-efficacy intervention was assessed for improvements in balance confidence and performance when compared with controls.Methods: Thirty-five assisted-living residents were randomly assigned to an exercise-only or exercises and efficacy-training groups two times every week for four weeks. Results: Activities of Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) using ANCOVA demonstrated no significant differences (F = 0.005, p = 0.944) in balance confidence. Balance performance however, as measured by the Berg Balance Scale using ANCOVA was significantly improved (F = 33.453, p = 0.0001).Conclusion: This intervention produced significant changes in balance performance without demonstrating significant changes in confidence measurement. Continued assessments and intervention trials such as this will demonstrate scientific evidence needed to promote optimal functioning in older adults.

Sling Exercise Training Improves Balance, Kicking Velocity, and Torso Stabilisation Strength in Elite Soccer Players

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of a Sling Exercise Training (SET) core stability program on postural balance, kicking velocity, functional strength, and back pain in nationally elite level soccer players. METHODS: 12 Norwegian 1st division soccer players completed 8 wk × 2 d.wk−1 SET training with a main focus on the trunk and hip area. Each training session, athletes performed 8 different highly unstable, closed kinetic chain exercises in adjustable slings. Exercise difficulty was progressed by increasing the resistance arm and degree of instability. 4 of the training group athletes had suffered extended periods of low back pain. 9 players of similar performance level served as a control group. RESULTS: Balance: Mean one-legged eyes-closed COP sway velocity moment decreased 45 % in the worst leg (p <0.01) and 18% in the best leg (p = 0.113). The mean difference in velocity moment between the legs was reduced from 51% to 3% (p=0.001). No change in balance performance was observed in the control group. Kicking: Ball velocity during one-step I maximal velocity kicking (preferred leg) increased significantly Kl in the training group (3.5%,) compared to controls (−2.3 %, p = I 0.04). Torso functional strength: The 4 subjects with chronic low B back pain all reported that pain was reduced after training. The training group, and particularly chronic low back pain subjects, significantly improved in a clinical test of pelvic rotational stability (p <0.01, see picture of test condition). CONCLUSIONS: This unique functional stability training program involving movements performed in unstable slings clearly improved static balance. Chronic back pain subjects also reported strongly reduced back pain. In addition, a small but significant improvement in kicking performance was observed. To our knowledge this is the first study to demonstrate a direct performance enhancing effect of a core stability training program. Functional strength training in slings appears to be an effective modality for enhancing neuromuscular control and joint stability.Figure

A Randomized Control Trial of the Application of Efficacy Training to Balance Assessment

Reduced balance confidence often translates into a fear of falling, which reinforces a sedentary lifestyle.Purpose: A self-efficacy intervention was assessed for improvements in balance confidence and performance when compared with controls.Methods: Thirty-five assisted-living residents were randomly assigned to an exercise-only or exercises and efficacy-training groups two times every week for four weeks. Results: Activities of Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) using ANCOVA demonstrated no significant differences (F = 0.005, p = 0.944) in balance confidence. Balance performance however, as measured by the Berg Balance Scale using ANCOVA was significantly improved (F = 33.453, p = 0.0001).Conclusion: This intervention produced significant changes in balance performance without demonstrating significant changes in confidence measurement. Continued assessments and intervention trials such as this will demonstrate scientific evidence needed to promote optimal functioning in older adults.

Prestatieveranderingen op het gebied van evenwicht bij lichamelijk actieve ouderen in de leeftijd van 73-80 jaar

Changes in balance performance in physically active elderly people aged 73-80 [Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2000;32(4):168-72]

Relationship between change in balance and self-reported handicap after vestibular rehabilitation therapy.

Dizziness and balance problems are two commonly reported symptoms of vestibular system disease, with subsequent alterations in lifestyle and reports of physical, functional and emotional handicap. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) was developed to improve the functional status of patients with vestibular dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between change in balance performance and change in self-rated handicap after a four-week home exercise programme in 16 subjects with chronic vestibular disease. Before and after the treatment intervention, balance was tested by use of a Smart Balance Master (SBM) system (Neurocom International, Clackamas, OR, USA) and self-rated handicap was measured by use of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Significant improvement was observed in both the SBM (p < 0.001) and DHI (p = 0.003) scores over the testing period. A moderately strong negative correlation existed between change in SBM and DHI scores (Spearman's r = -0.6). Further analysis using the DHI subscales indicated, however, that the emotional component showed no significant change over time, and a poor correlation with change in balance scores (Spearman's r = -0.39). These results indicate that a home-based exercise programme can significantly improve balance abilities in people with chronic vestibular dysfunction, but that outcomes may be enhanced by addressing the emotional issues associated with their disability.

Age-related changes in balance performance.

The postural stability of 1280 healthy subjects (640 males and 640 females) between the ages of 6 and 85 years was measured using a modified single limb stance timed test. Balance performance for both sexes increased with chronological age but peaked at different ages. The males' performance with eyes opened and eyes closed peaked at the third decade of life, after which a progressive decline was found. The females' performance with eyes opened and eyes closed peaked at the fourth decade of life and thereafter progressively declined. Except for the first decade of life, males performed better (p < 0.001) than females at all ages. The results of the stepwise regression analyses revealed that stature and body weight were the two viable anthropometric determinants of balance performance; the contribution of body surface area and body adiposity to the prediction of balance performance was negligible.