Reference Values for the Balance Error Scoring System in Military Cadets

An abstract of a study by Houston et al reporting reference values for the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), as measured by the MobileMat, in military cadets and examine the effect of gender, concussion history, and competitive sport level on BESS performance is presented. Reference values for BESS firm stances were: (double limb (DL) [Male: 0.01 ± 0.22; 0.00 (0.00-0.00); Female: 0.01 ± 0.10; 0.00 (0.00-0.00)], single limb (SL) [Male: 4.09 ± 2.51; 4.00 (2.00-6.00); Female: 4.29 ± 2.55; 4.00 (3.00-6.00)], tandem [Male: 2.68 ± 2.15; 2.00 (1.00-4.00); Female: 2.82 ± 2.18; 3.00 (1.00-4.00)]. Reference values for BESS foam stances were: DL [Male: 0.94 ± 1.41; 0.00 (0.00-1.00); Female: 1.19 ± 1.59; 1.00 (0.00-2.00)], SL [Male: 6.82 ± 2.31; 7.00 (5.00-9.00); Female: (7.40 ± 2.26; 8.00 (6.00-10.00)], tandem [Male: 5.25 ± 2.51; 5.00 (3.00-7.00); Female: 5.35 ± 2.37; 5.00 (3.00-7.00)]. Males performed significantly better than females for the SL foam stance (p = 0.032). No sex differences were detected for the other five BESS stances (p > 0.122). Concussion history and competitive sport level did not affect BESS performance (p > 0.279).