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The Best BESS Test

Abstract

DYLAN FIOCK, CIARA HARRELL, CAROLINE KRATZ & RHYAN STOKER

Advisor / Mentor: Chelette, Amber (amber.chelette@sfasu.edu)

ABSTRACT

Men and women have different centers of gravity, which affects how we balance. Men carry their center of gravity between the rib cage and belly button, while women carry their center of gravity around the pelvis. PURPOSE: In this study, we tested static balance comparing males and females who are untrained. We measured the anterior/posterior and medial/lateral central pressure to calculate how stable each participant is. METHODS: We started with five men and five women, ages 18-25 that were untrained. They then performed the BESS Test which includes, feet together, single leg, and a tandem stance. Every test was done with the patients' hands on their hips, eyes closed and shoes off. Each test lasts 20 seconds with a 20 second rest between each stance. All tests were done on the force plates, using the Kinvent app on the iPad. Data was collected on the difference between anterior/posterior and medial/lateral movement and weight distribution between the left and right feet. The data also showed the difference in the weight distribution of the heel and tip of the foot for the single leg balance. RESULTS: In this study we found out that females do have better balance than males. The measurements show that females had less balance faults and also were able to distribute their weight better. For example, the left and right average numbers for the males doing the tandem test were 65.92 and 34.08. There is a major difference between those two averages. The female averages for left and right were 52.5 and 47.5. With these average numbers being closer, it really solidifies our hypothesis. CONCLUSION: By the end of this study, we proved our hypothesis correct. Two specific studies we used to reference, Chandler and Mahmoudi, also support our hypothesis by showing that females have better static balance than males.

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