Postural Stability Quiz

• A wide stance increases stability, while a narrow stance reduces it.
• The limits of stability for a person during quiet stance is the area encompassed by the outer edges of the feet in contact with the ground.
• Any deviations in the body's COM position relative to this boundary are corrected intermittently, producing a random swaying motion.
• For normal adults, the anteroposterior sway limit is approximately 12° from the most posterior to most anterior position.
• Lateral stability varies with foot spacing and height; adults standing with 4 inches between the feet can sway approximately 16° from side to side.
• A person sitting without trunk support has much greater limits of stability than when standing, because the height of the COM above the BOS is less and the BOS is much larger.

Test your knowledge about postural stability with this quiz. Learn about the factors affecting stability, the limits of stability during quiet stance, and the variations in stability while standing or sitting.