Strength, Balance and Mobility in Children

Gait and Posture published research regarding the relationship between lower extremity muscle strength, balance and mobility in 21 children ages 7-10.  Each child's isometric and dynamic strength was tested in addition to their steady-state, proactive, and reactive balance and mobility (single and dual task conditions).  The results indicated the following:

• significant positive correlations between dynamic and isometric lower extremity muscle strength
• hardly any association was found between variables of strength and balance/mobility and between measures of steady-state, proactive, and reactive balance
• no significant correlations were detected between balance/mobility tests performed under single and dual task conditions.

The researchers concluded that balance and mobility performance is task specific. In addition, strength and balance/mobility as well as balance under single and dual task conditions may be independent of each other. Therefore, strength and balance/mobility may have to be tested and trained together.

Reference: Thomas Muehlbauer, Carmen Besemer, Anja Wehrle, Albert Gollhofer, Urs Granacher. Relationship between strength, balance and mobility in children aged 7–10 years. Gait & Posture - January 2013 (Vol. 37, Issue 1, Pages 108-112, DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.06.022)