Identificación de puntos de referencia anatómicos para la valoración del equilibrio mediante dispositivos cinemáticos

Resumo

Objective This paper has aimed to analyze the behavior of the spinal levels used most in the kinematic analysis and to define the best place for accelerometers to measure balance in adults. Material and method A total of 71 healthy adults were evaluated. Most were women (92.96%), with an average age of 64.86 years (SD ± 7.63). Three tri-axial accelerometers were used to evaluate balance. One was placed on the sternum and two more on L4 and L5-S1. Kinematic data was obtained from two balance tests: eyes closed monopodal balance and monopodal dynamic balance. Exclusion criteria included inability to walk independently; to be unable to maintain bipodal static balance with eyes wide-open for 60 seconds and the existence of contraindications to be tested. All the subjects performed the tests in bare feet with socks. Results The results showed that the three reference locations analyzed during the balance tests proportionally increased to the distance to the center of gravity. Regarding the optimal devise placement point in the lumbar-pelvic regions, the results obtained did not show significant differences between the accelerometer on L4 and L5-S1. Conclusions Using the fourth lumbar vertebra for measurement is recommended because it limits the introduction of noise on the accelerometer signal due to pelvic girdle motion.