As a health and fitness professional, you understand how critical balance is to maintaining your clients’ overall functional abilities, especially as they age. But did you know that increased postural sway—an indicator of poor balance—has been identified as a key risk factor for falls in older adults? Despite this, balance testing is often underutilized because traditional force plate technology has been expensive and cumbersome to implement.
With AxIT, that’s no longer the case. Let’s explore why balance is so crucial and how affordable, portable systems like AxIT’s Stomp-IT can help you assess your clients’ balance with precision.
How Does Balance Degrade As We Age?
Research shows that balance tends to decline gradually as we get older. A study by Goble et al. (2018), using a Quiet Standing Balance Test with Eyes Closed, tracked postural sway in 6,280 individuals. They found a significant increase in postural sway starting around age 50, as well as a consistent gender difference, with women generally showing better balance performance over time. This increasing postural sway puts older clients at a much greater risk for falls, a leading cause of injury and reduced independence in older adults.
By measuring balance early and regularly, you can help your clients take preventive steps to maintain their stability, reduce their fall risk, and remain active for longer.
Why You Should Measure Balance Using AxIT:
- Identify Hidden Balance Issues
Subtle balance impairments often go unnoticed until a serious fall occurs. By measuring your clients’ balance performance with AxIT’s Stomp-IT force plate, you can track postural sway over time and identify potential issues before they lead to injury. This early detection allows for tailored interventions, such as balance exercises and strength training, to improve stability and prevent falls. - Compare Results to Evidence-Based Norms
With the data from the Goble et al. study and other research, AxIT allows you to compare your clients’ balance performance to evidence-based norms. This comparison can provide valuable context for you and your clients, showing how they stack up against others in their age group and gender. Sharing these results can motivate clients to take balance training seriously and improve their long-term health outcomes. - Easy and Portable Testing
Unlike traditional force plates, which can be bulky and expensive, AxIT’s Stomp-IT system is portable and affordable, making it easy to implement in your practice. Whether you work in a clinic, gym, or even a mobile setting, AxIT gives you the flexibility to bring cutting-edge balance assessments to your clients with minimal setup time. - Track Progress Over Time
AxIT’s user-friendly software enables you to track your clients’ balance performance over time, generating clear reports that help you monitor improvements or identify declines. These reports can also be shared with clients, reinforcing the value of your training programs and helping them stay engaged in their progress.
Balance is a crucial, often overlooked, aspect of health, especially for older adults. By using AxIT to measure balance with accuracy and ease, you can provide your clients with actionable insights, reduce their risk of injury, and enhance their overall quality of life.
Want to start measuring balance performance with your older clients? Visit www.strengthbynumbers.com to speak with our team about how AxIT Stomp-IT can transform the way you assess balance in your practice.