Validation of the HUMAC Balance System in Comparison with Conventional Force Plates

• Main Authors: Jan Jens Koltermann, Martin Gerber, Heidrun Beck, Michael Beck
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2017-07-01
• Series: Technologies
• Subjects: COP; force plate; AMTI; Kistler; WII; centre of pressure; postural control; balance
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/5/3/44

In recent years, there has been intensified development of cost-effective alternatives to conventional force plates, such as those of Kistler and AMTI, in clinical and scientific research. To our knowledge, the evidence for existing validity and reliability of the HUMAC Balance System has so far been lacking. Over the course of the study, the HUMAC Balance System, which is based on the WII Balance Board technology, was tested. 26 HUMAC Balance Systems in conjunction with 2 force plates, each from the manufacturers Kistler and AMTI, were examined and their properties under static and dynamic conditions were evaluated. Under static conditions, the HUMAC Balance System revealed a relatively constant and comparatively small margin of displacement error. However, tests of the force plates under dynamic conditions revealed contrasting results. The conventional force plates, with a margin of error of 2.5%, proved to have a smaller margin of error compared to the HUMAC Balance System, which had margins of error of 8.6% and 6.1% in x and y directions, respectively. A calibration method was developed to overcome these systematic deviations. After applying the calibration, the Balance Board margin of error was reduced to an acceptable maximum of 0.18%.