examination of the ceiling effect at testing in a group of fit older adults

Uvod: Ravnotežje je kompleksen konstrukt povezave več fizioloških sistemov: senzoričnega, osrednje živčnega in živčno-mišičnega sistema. Nanj vpliva več dejavnikov: biomehanski, gibalne in čutilne strategije, orientacija v prostoru, dinamična stabilnost in spoznavni procesi. Za ocenjevanje ravnotežja uporabljamo eno ali več komponentne teste. Mera izida ravnotežja po rehabilitaciji starejših je splošen test ravnotežja, ki se uporablja v rehabilitaciji starejših. Sestavljen je iz več eno komponentnih testov: Test stopanja na pručko, Vstani in pojdi test, Testa funkcijskega dosega, Test statičnega ravnotežja stoje s stopali skupaj in zaprtimi očmi. Ocenjuje bistvene komponente ravnotežja: funkcionalno stabilnost, motorični sistem, meje funkcionalne stabilnosti, vnaprej predvidevano kontrolo drže, dinamično stabilnost in senzorično integracijo. Namen: Želeli smo ugotoviti ali je Mera izida ravnotežja po rehabilitaciji starejših primerena za ocenjevanje ravnotežja dejavnih starejših oseb. Metode dela: 26 aktivnih starejših oseb smo testirali z Mero izida ravnotežja po rehabilitaciji starejših. Njihove rezultate smo analizirali s programom za statistično obdelavo podatkov - SPSS. Rezultati: Sedemnajst oseb (65,4 %) je na Meri izida ravnotežja po rehabilitaciji starejših doseglo maksimalno število točk (16), osem oseb (30,8 %) pa je doseglo 15 točk. Predlagamo razširitev ocenjevalne lestvice za eno stopnjo. Na razširjeni lestvici so maksimalno število točk (29) dosegle štiri osebe (15,4 %). Razprava in sklep: Rezultati kažejo, da dejavne starejše osebe na Meri izida ravnotežja po rehabilitaciji starejših dosežejo učinek stropa. Originalna ocenjevalna lestvica ni primerna za ocenjevanje te populacije. Če lestvico razširimo za eno stopnjo, so dobljeni rezultati porazdeljeni bližje normalni porazdelitvi, kljub temu je učinek stropa še vedno prisoten. Za oceno primernosti nove lestvice za ocenjevanje ravnotežja dejavnih starejših oseb bi bilo potrebno narediti nadaljnje raziskave.Introduction: Balance is a complex form of related physiological systems: sensory, central nervous and nervous-muscular systems. There are few factors that influences balance: biomechanical constraints, movement strategies, sensory strategies, orientation in space, control of dynamics and cognitive processing. In order to assess the quantity of balance, one or more component tests are being used. Balance outcome measure for elder rehabilitation is a general balance test used for elder rehabilitation. It consists of more single-component tests: Step test, Timed up and go test, Functional reach test and Timed static stance feet together eyes closed test. The Balance outcome measure for elder rehabilitation is designed to assess the three main components of balance: functional stability limits, underlying motor system, anticipatory postural control, dynamic stability and sensory integration. Aim: To investigate whether the Balance outcome measure for elder rehabilitation rating scale is appropriate for balance assessment of fit elderly. Method of use: 26 fit elderly were tested by Balance outcome measure for elder rehabilitation rating scale. Their results have been analyzed by program SPSS. Results: 17 participants (65.4%) scored maximum number of points (16) on Balance outcome measure for elder rehabilitation scale, 8 participants (30.8%) scored 15 points. We are suggesting adding an additional level on the scale can change its measuring properties. 4 participants (15.4%) scored maximum number of points (29) on extended scale for one level. Discussion and conclusion: The results have shown that fit elderly reach the ceiling effect on Balance outcome measure for elder rehabilitation rating scale. Therefore, the traditional rating scale is not appropriate for assessment of fit elderly. If the scale is extended for one level, the data is distributed too close to normal distribution. Data is distributed in distribution similar to standard normal after adding additional level on the scale, but results reach ceiling effect. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate if the new scale is suitable for assessing balance of fit elderly