Single-leg stance test · Unipedal stance test
Purpose
Use this test to measure static balance. Your client stands on one leg with the arms crossed for as long as they can, up to 45 seconds, with the eyes open or closed.
Springer and colleagues tested 549 healthy adults aged 18 to 99 with this protocol. Times fell with age in both conditions and did not differ between men and women.
Procedure
- Preparation
- Your client stands barefoot. For the eyes-open attempts, they look at a spot on the wall at eye level. Stay close in case they lose balance.
- Equipment
- Stopwatch
Cross the arms
Your client chooses a leg to stand on and crosses the arms over the chest.
Lift the foot
They raise the other foot so it is near, but not touching, the ankle of the standing leg. Start the stopwatch as the foot leaves the floor.
Stop the time
Stop when your client uncrosses the arms, moves the raised foot toward or away from the standing leg, touches the floor with it, moves the standing foot, or opens the eyes on an eyes-closed attempt. Stop at 45 seconds if none of these happens.
Repeat
Do three attempts with the eyes open and three with the eyes closed, alternating between them. The study allowed at least 5 minutes of rest after each pair.
Scoring
Each attempt is timed in seconds. The score is the best of the three attempts, for each eyes condition separately.
Interpretation
Compare results from the same condition. The calculator shows the best time without a label.
Sources
- Springer, Marin, Cyhan, Roberts and Gill: normative values for the unipedal stance test with eyes open and closed (2007)Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy 30(1):8–15. Protocol, 45-second limit and best of three trials in 549 healthy adults.
Sources checked by SoloTrainer.net · 25 Sep