Correlation between body mass index and postural balance

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and postural balance in unipodal support. METHOD: 40 males, age 26 ± 5 yrs, body mass 72.3 ± 11 kg, height 176 ± 6 cm and BMI 23.3 ± 3.2 kg/m², were submitted to functional stability tests using the Biodex® Balance System (stability evaluation protocol level 2, which allows an inclination of up to 20° in the horizontal plane in all directions) to compare stability with BMI. RESULTS: The general stability index showed a correlation between BMI and postural balance - measured as imbalance (R=0.723-dominant side and R=0.705-non-dominant side). The anteroposterior stability index - measured as instability - showed correlations on the dominant (R=0.708) and non-dominant side (R=0.656). Lateral instability showed a correlation on the dominant side (R=0.721) and non-dominant side (R=0.728). The comparison of the balance indexes for dominant and non-dominant sides showed no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: High BMI demands more displacements to maintain postural balance.