Validating the BTrackS Balance Plate as a low cost alternative for the measurement of sway-induced center of pressure

Abstract

The BTrackS Balance Plate (BBP) is a low-cost force plate that provides objective balance assessment and true portability for the user. Given that this technology is relatively new, the purpose of the present study was to provide the first center of pressure (COP) validation of the BBP. Two BBP devices (one new and one used) were compared with a laboratory-grade force plate (LFP) during simultaneous collection of COP that was induced by an inverted pendulum device with human-like sway characteristics. The results of this study showed almost perfect agreement between the BBP devices and the LFP (ICC>0.999), as well as a high degree of BBP accuracy (<1% error magnitude) and precision (<0.2mm regression residuals). These results suggest the BBP can serve as an effective, low-cost solution for objective balance testing in the laboratory or clinic.

Keywords: Accuracy; BTrackS; Pendulum; Precision; Validity.