Placing the Dominant Foot Behind Reduces Postural Sway During Tandem Stance (Heel-to-Toe) Across Age Groups

PURPOSE: The present study explored the age-related influence of foot placement on balance control during quiet standing in tandem stance. Although tandem stance is widely used to assess postural control, foot dominance is rarely standardized in balance testing, even though it may influence stability outcomes. This study addressed this gap by examining whether dominant-foot placement affects postural control across the adult lifespan. METHODS: One-hundred participants (53 women) were separated into five age groups: 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and 61-75 years. They stood upright on a force plate with the dominant foot placed either in the front or back in two visual conditions (eyes open vs. eyes closed). Postural control was assessed by measuring center-of-pressure displacement. RESULTS: Analysis of variances indicated that center-of-pressure displacement increased across age groups (p < .01). For both visual conditions (eyes open or closed) and across all age groups, center-of-pressure displacement was reduced when the dominant foot was placed at the back during tandem stance (p < .05). CONCLUSION: This finding underscores the importance of considering foot dominance when assessing postural control during tandem stance. Standardizing foot placement relative to dominance may enhance the reliability and comparability of balance assessments across studies and age groups.