Fitness Testing
Fitness Testing > Tests > Balance > Balance Board
Balance Board Test
The Balance Board test is an agility and balance (equilibrium) test. This test is part of the protocol for the Groningen Fitness Test for the Elderly. This is an important fitness capacity to measure in the elderly as poor balance can lead to falls and injuries.
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purpose: to measure whole body balance
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equipment required: A wooden balance platform measures measuring 50 x 50 x 1.5 cm, with a small 2 cm wide beam running lengthwise down the middle beneath it. Small stoppers are placed on the comers of the platform so that the board cannot tilt more than 18°. Contacts connected to a timer are placed on the underside of the platform, exactly in the middle of the left and right halves.
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procedure: The participant is instructed to stand on the platform with toes pointed outward (15°) and heels 15 cm apart. The participant must try to keep the platform balanced for a period of 30 seconds. The timer stops when the contacts touch the floor. After one practice trial the best score of three trials is recorded.
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scoring: The score is the total time that neither contact touches the floor, expressed in counts (1 count = 0.3 s; 100 counts = 30). Thus the maximum score is 100 (for 30 seconds), and the higher scores indicate better performance.
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target population: this test was designed specifically for the elderly population.
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disadvantages: an apparatus specifically for this test needs to be obtained
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reference: Koen A.P.Lemmink, Han Kemper, Mathieu H.G. de Greef, and Piet Rispens P, Stevens M, Reliability of the Groningen Fitness Test for the Elderly, Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 2001, 9, 194-212
Related Pages
- more about the Groningen Fitness Test for the Elderly
- a discussion about Fitness Testing for the Elderly
- other Balance Tests
Related Products
- use the Free! BodyByte Fitness and Nutrition Organizer to organize and manage all your fitness testing information as well as your training and nutritional intake
