Placing the Dominant Foot Behind Reduces Postural Sway During Tandem Stance (Heel-to-Toe) Across Age Groups.

Center-of-pressure displacement increased across age groups during tandem stance.

• One-hundred participants (53 women) were separated into five age groups: 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and 61-75 years.
• The increase in center-of-pressure displacement across age groups was statistically significant (p < .01).
• Participants stood upright on a force plate in tandem stance (heel-to-toe position).
• Postural control was assessed by measuring center-of-pressure displacement.

Placing the dominant foot at the back during tandem stance reduced center-of-pressure displacement compared to placing it in the front.

• The reduction in center-of-pressure displacement with dominant foot at the back was statistically significant (p < .05).
• This effect was observed for both visual conditions: eyes open and eyes closed.
• This effect was consistent across all five age groups (21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and 61-75 years).
• Two foot placement conditions were tested: dominant foot in front versus dominant foot in back.

Visual condition (eyes open vs. eyes closed) was included as a factor in the balance assessment protocol.

• Participants performed tandem stance under two visual conditions: eyes open and eyes closed.
• The dominant foot placement effect (back vs. front) was found for both visual conditions.
• Analysis of variances was used to assess the effects of age group, foot placement, and visual condition on center-of-pressure displacement.

Foot dominance is rarely standardized in balance testing during tandem stance despite its potential influence on stability outcomes.

• The study identified standardization of foot dominance as a gap in current balance assessment practices.
• The authors argue that standardizing foot placement relative to dominance may enhance the reliability and comparability of balance assessments across studies and age groups.
• The study examined whether dominant-foot placement affects postural control across the adult lifespan to address this gap.