The impact of different ankle positions on postural balance and weight-bearing distributions during different kneeling positions

The objective of this study is to investigate the variations in weight distribution and balance parameters between the knees when executing different kneeling positions with different ankle conditions. Twenty-eight participants, with a mean age of 23.35 ± 3.29 years, were included in the study. HurSmart balance system (HUR smart balance, HUR, Helsinki, Finland) was used for assessing the static balance and weight distribution characteristics of the knees during four different kneeling positions (Full kneeling with ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, upright kneeling with ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion) for 30 seconds. Weight distribution on both the dominant and non-dominant knees, postural sways in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions, the sway area within which the center of gravity was maintained for 90% of the time, and the total trace length were collected. Reliability of the testing method was executed. The simple main effects analysis revealed that knee position had a statistically significant effect on trace length, sway area, anteroposterior and mediolateral sway (p<0.01). The trace length and sway area were higher during upright kneeling postures when compared to full kneeling position. The different ankle positions did not show a significant effect on the balance and weight distribution parameters (p>0.05). This study demonstrates that balance and weight distribution parameters differ significantly across various kneeling positions in healthy individuals. The findings regarding balance and weight distribution in this study could be valuable for clinicians in evaluating different kneeling abilities among individuals.