The ability to maintain balance during activities of daily living
is critical to maintaining an independent life style. Many of the
currently available clinical tests used to examine balance were
developed for use in the elderly. Many of these tests have been
found to have a low ceiling effect, i.e. the test results are normal
until the subject has a serious and obvious balance impairment.
The Star Excursion Balance (Star) Test is a measure of dynamic
balance performed in single leg stance. The Star Test was
developed using subjects 20-39 years of age. The first article
published on the Star Test (Kinzey, JOSPT 1998) reported poor
test-retest reliability. However, Hertel (J Sprt Rehab 2000) and
Stockert (JOSPT 2002) modified the methodology and showed
that the Star Test could be performed with high test-retest and
high intertester reliability in young subjects (20-39 years old).
The validity and sensitivity of the Star Test have not been
determined. The purpose of this study was: 1) to compare Star
Test performance in subjects >60 years old with 20-39 y.o. and
40-59 y.o. subjects; 2) to determine the correlation between the
subject age and performance on the Star Test; and 3) to
perform regression analysis using age and Star Test
performance.