Comparison of postural balance between female and male adolescents

Abstract

Adolescence phase comprises between 10 and 19 years old. This stage is characterized by a fast individual growth and development. However, these changes do not occur at the same rate for both genders, and can lead to differences in postural balance. The purpose of this study was to compare the postural balance between male and female adolescents. To this, 11 female and 19 male adolescents were assessed. The center of gravity height was obtained by a reaction board, and postural balance was evaluated with a force platform from Advanced Mechanical Technologies, Inc. model OR6-6. The variables analyzed were calculated from the center of pressure (COP): COP anteroposterior range of displacement (COPap), COP mediolateral range of displacement (COPml); and COP mean displacement velocity (COPvel). Female adolescents showed a significantly lower COPap (p=0.011) and COPml (p=0.003) ranges of displacement with open eyes when compared to male adolescents. With closed eyes, females had lower COPap (p=0.001), COPml (p=0.001) and COPvel (p=0.004). It suggests a lower postural sway for these female adolescents. It is believed that the results came from differences in anthropometric characteristics between genders. We conclude that female adolescents in this study had a better postural balance when compared to male adolescents.