A CROSS-SECTIONAL VALIDATION-STUDY OF THE FICSIT COMMON DATA-BASE STATIC BALANCE MEASURES

Background. Two simple balance scales comprising three or four familia r tests of static balance were developed, and their validity and relia bility are described. The scales were such that the relative difficult ies of the basic tests were taken into consideration. Methods, Using F ICSIT data, Fisher's method was used to construct scales combining abi lity to maintain balance in parallel, semi-tandem, tandem, and one-leg ged stances. Reliability was inferred from the stability of the measur e over 3-4 months. Construct validity was assessed by cross-sectional correlations. Results, Test-retest reliability (over 3-4 months) was g ood (r=.66). Validity of the FICSIT-3 scale was suggested by its low c orrelation with age, its moderate to high correlations with physical f unction measures, and three balance assessment systems. The FICSIT-4 s cale discriminated balance over a wide range of health status; the thr ee-test scale had a substantial ceiling effect in community samples. C onclusion. A balance scale was developed that appears to have acceptab le reliability, validity, and discriminant ability.