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Stork Balance Stand Test

The stork balance test requires the person to stand on one leg, up on the ball of the foot, for as long as possible. The similar Flamingo Balance Test is different as it requires the subject to balance on a board.



purpose: To assess whole body balance ability.

equipment required: flat, non-slip surface, stopwatch, paper and pencil.

pre-test: Explain the test procedures to the subject. Perform screening of health risks and obtain informed consent. Prepare forms and record basic information such as age, height, body weight, gender, test conditions. Perform an appropriate warm-up. See more details of pre-test procedures.

stork balance test

procedure: Remove the shoes and place the hands on the hips, then position the non-supporting foot against the inside knee of the supporting leg. The subject is given one minute to practice the balance. The subject raises the heel to balance on the ball of the foot. The stopwatch is started as the heel is raised from the floor. The stopwatch is stopped if any of the follow occur:

Rating Score (seconds)
Excellent > 50
Good 40 - 50
Average 25- 39
Fair 10 - 24
Poor < 10

Scoring: The total time in seconds is recorded. The score is the best of three attempts. The table lists general ratings for this test.

Variations: the stork balance test is also sometimes conducted with the eyes closed, giving it a higher level of difficulty. See also the similar flamingo balance test.

Alpha-Fit Version: in the Alpha-Fit version of this test, the hand do not need to be placed on the hip, and timing stops if the hands go above the horizontal level. There is also a 60 second maximum score.

Reference: Johnson BL, Nelson JK. Practical measurements for evaluation in physical education. 4th Edit. Minneapolis: Burgess, 1979.



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