ABSTRACT
This study was designed to evaluate the effects of gender, physical activity level, age and anthopometric indices on the single limb stance balance performance of asymptomatic subjects. Eighty physically active and 120 sedentary subjects (100 males and 100 females, age ranged, 12-40 years) from Ile-Ife community were recruited for the study. The maximum duration that each subject was able to maintain balance whiled standing on their dominant leg with eyes open and eyes closed were monitored. It was found that: 1. Males had a higher (P < 0.01) balance time than females; 2. The physically active subjects performed better (P < 0.001) on the eyes closed test than sedentrary subjects of comparable age, weight and height; and 3. The balance time, with eyes open or closed, improved with chronological age and increased with height and body weight. The findings in this cross sectional study suggest that exercise programmes could be used to improve balance performance. It was concluded that the single limb stance time testing protocol described in this study could be used: a. As a screening tool in population based studies to identified individuals with a balance dysfunction; and b. In clinical practice to monitor improvement in neuromuscular function of patients with injuries to the lower extremities undergoing rehabilitation.
