ABSTRACT
For optimal postural control, the center of mass (COM) of the body is a variable that is projected vertically between the legs, over a support base. This study had as aim assessing the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the projection of the COM over the support base, measured with the aid of the Postural Evaluation Software (SAPO). Fifty-seven volunteers were evaluated and all were subjected to photographic records taken from the anterior, left and right lateral views, at the same time. The pictures were handed over to two raters, who then used SAPO to analyze them. For the statistical analysis, the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used, and to estimate the minimum detectable change (MDC), the standard error (SE) was used. The results showed excellent levels of inter and intra-rater reliability for asymmetries in the frontal and sagittal planes, and for the projection of the center of gravity in the frontal and lateral planes (ICC>0.90; 95%CI>0.95; MDC between 2.16 - 4.87). The results of the study showed that the analysis of the COM obtained with SAPO had good inter- and intra-rater reliability.
Keywords
Photogrammetry; Postural Balance; Posture; Rehabilitation.
