The development of postural control in 6-17 old years healthy children. Part II Postural control evaluation - Limits of Stability Test (LOS) in 6-17 old year children

Introduction: The ability to react quickly to changing external stimuli, to move the body rapidly and precisely in any direction and to maintain the center of gravity above the support base, all contribute to maintaining balance in dynamic conditions. The Limits of Stability Test (LOS) provides information on the state of dynamic balance in a standing position. Aim: Assessment of dynamic postural control in developmental age. Material: 127 healthy children (65 girls and 62 boys) aged 6-17 years. Methods: All children underwent LOS test (NeuroCom posturograph) with registration of: reaction time (RT), movement velocity (MVL), directional control (DCL), maximum excursion (MXE), and endpoint excursion (EPE). Results: At the age of 6-7 years, we observed not fully developed jumping strategy and visual feedback mechanism in the control of movement. All tested parameters were significantly worse in children aged 6-9 years. After this period, a significant improvement in TR and MVL was noted, with no significant changes in subsequent age groups while significant improvement in MXE up to 12 years of age, and EPE and DCL up to 13 years of age was found. No significant gender differences were found in the LOS test parameters. Conclusions: (1) LOS test showed significantly lower dynamic balance development in children aged 6-7 years; (2) The study showed a significant improvement in all parameters of the LOS test up to 13 years of age, which supports the termination of the function at that time.