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TRAZER XP 301 ONBOARDING

Balance

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Congratulations on completing TRAZER XP 201 training!

Now that you have an understanding of what Balance Activities are and how they work, you’re ready to learn more about the data collected and reports on Balance.

Upon completing this module, you should have a comprehensive understanding of:

  • The value of Balance Activities
  • What the Key Metrics mean
  • The report sections and their purpose
balance

Key Concepts of Balance

Objectify Traditional Balance Assessments

TRAZER allows for a precise quantitative assessment of balance, providing numerical data on body movements and postural control. This objective information is far more accurate and reliable than subjective, observational assessments. Through TRAZER, the most subtle balance issues that may not be apparent through visual observation alone can be detected. Early identification allows for timely interventions and preventive measures to tackle potential problems before they escalate.

Improve Stability with Immersive Simulation

TRAZER Balance Activities engage the User with live feedback when they are out of balance, allowing them to recognize and relate feelings of instability, assisting in immediate correction as well as improvement over time.

Monitor Progression Over Time

Measurements obtained through TRAZER serve as a baseline for assessing an individual's balance capability. By monitoring changes in these measurements over time, valuable insights into progress during rehabilitation, training, or recovery from injury can be derived.

Balance Positions

TRAZER Balance Activities are built to objectively measure balance capability through 3 standing positions, with 3 levels of difficulty for each.

  • Double- leg stance
  • Single-leg stance
  • Tandem stance

Hover over the images below to view the positions and requirements for each.

 

Understanding Key Metrics

The 2 Key Metrics for Balance Activities are Sway and Misses (Errors).

"Sway" and "Misses" are terms used to quantify the User's ability to maintain stability during the various Positions. 

  • Sway
    Sway refers to the continuous small adjustments made by the body to maintain an upright position.
    Sway is measured by analyzing the movement of the center of mass, the pelvis.
    Sway is quantified by distance and direction.
  • Misses
    Misses tracking involves identifying and categorizing deviations from the prescribed Position. These deviations are considered errors in maintaining stability.
    Misses tracked depend on the stance required and the level of the Activity.

Report Sections

The sections of Balance reports are as follows:

Overview
The Overview Section

The Overview section of the Balance Report details the User's balance capabilities, specifically focusing on Misses and Sway.

OverviewTab_DoubleLeg

The left side of the screen lists of all the Misses that have been detected, along with the quantity of each. This allows you to identify any areas where the User may be experiencing balance challenges.

Below the Misses list, the Sway measurement is quantified in terms of distance for each direction detected. This gives you a clear understanding of the User's Sway patterns and helps you determine which directions they may be more prone to swaying in. The direction with the highest sway will be highlighted with a red border. To view the User's overall Sway performance, view the Total Sway section on the right side of the Sway table.

The right side of the screen features a graph that depicts the Sway by direction. This graph allows you to easily identify any recurring patterns or fluctuations in the User's balance.

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Errors, Symmetry, and Consistency.

In the image above, we see that the User had 2 Misses in the Double Leg (Bilateral) stance, and significant Sway to the left direction.

Now that we have identified asymmetry here, the next step is to look for symmetry and consistency in the other Steps. Is Sway to the left consistent for all positions?

 

OverviewTab_LeftLeg

In the Left Single Leg (Unilateral) stance, the User had 1 Miss and significant Sway Backwards and Backwards Left. 

 

OverviewTab_RightLeg

In the Right Single Leg (Unilateral) stance, the User had 0 Misses, but again, had the most Sway in the Backward Left and Backward directions.

 

OverviewTab_Tandem

In the Tandem (staggered) stance, the User had 0 Misses, and the most Sway to the Backward Left, Left, and Backward directions.

 

When analyzing each step for symmetry in sway, it becomes evident that the User consistently exhibits asymmetry in the left, backward left, and backward directions. This lack of balance and stability persists throughout the entire Activity.

By identifying this instability, you, as the Provider, now have valuable data at your disposal. This information can inform your decision-making process, allowing you to devise a strategic plan that addresses the User's specific needs and aims to improve their overall stability and symmetry.

Progress
The Progress Section

The Progress section of the Report provides a view of the User's performance over time for each specific Step selected on the left. This section allows you to track the progression or degradation in Key Metrics, providing valuable insights into the User's improvement or challenges over time.

ProgressTab_Subtabs

The Progress section has clickable cards for Sway Distance and Misses on the left side of the screen. After clicking a metric card, we are able to see the progression or degradation based on the first and last test listed in the List tab table.

ProgressTab_List

On the List tab, the data is listed for each date the User previously performed the Activity, based on the date option selected at the top of the Progress tab.

ProgressTab_Graph

On the Graph tab, the data points are charted on a graph to observe progression or degradation over time. 

When the circle on the graph is filled, this indicates that the test was completed, while an unfilled circle indicates partial completion.

ProgressTab_Symmetry

On the Symmetry tab, which is only available by clicking the Total Sway metric card, the directional data for the first and last test in the list are charted to observe progression or degradation over time in a certain direction.

By analyzing the data presented, you can identify any trends or patterns that may emerge, enabling you to make informed decisions and adjustments to optimize the User's performance. Whether it's an upward trajectory indicating progress or a downward trend highlighting areas that need attention, this section offers a clear and detailed overview of the User's journey.

With historical data, you can gain a deeper understanding of the User's performance, helping you tailor interventions and exercises to target specific areas of improvement. By utilizing this information, you can effectively guide the User towards enhancing their balance and stability, ultimately leading to a better overall outcome.

What's Next?

Once you have assessed your User and identified a starting point, or baseline, now you have objective information to determine the best next steps for your User. Though next steps may vary depending on your field, here are some ideas.

  • Minor Sway and Misses

    Utilize TRAZER Workouts, Drills, and Games to train for improvement.

    Assess the User with the other Pillars (Neuromechanics, Kinematics, Dynamic Movement) to determine any other areas that need improvement.

  • Moderate Sway and Misses

    Utilize TRAZER Workouts, Drills, and Games to train and improve the asymmetry. 

  • Significant Sway and/or Misses

    Utilize TRAZER Rehabilitation protocols to improve the asymmetry or refer the User to a physical therapist if you believe they may have an injury or have not fully recovered from an injury.

Use our Activity Finder to view suggested Activities for improving specific metrics or skills. 

Mark this course as complete