Assessment of balance in overweight and obese young adults: utilizing centre of pressure displacement variables in the single leg sit-to-stand test

Overweight and obesity in young adults increase fall risk due to impaired balance and altered biomechanics, emphasizing the need for precise assessments. This study evaluated dynamic balance across weight groups using the single-leg sit-to-stand test (SLSTST) combined with the Nintendo Wii Balance Board (NWBB). Centre of Pressure (CoP) parameters, Path Length Sway, anterior-posterior (AP), and medial-lateral (ML) sway, were recorded during SLSTST and single-leg standing balance tests on hard (SLST_HS) and soft (SLST_SS) surfaces. Sixty young adults (20 normal weight, 20 overweight, 20 obese) participated. One-Way ANOVA revealed significant differences in CoP parameters across groups (η2 = 0.138–0.742, p < 0.001–0.014). Unlike static balance test (SLST), the SLSTST distinguished balance differences between normal weight and overweight groups. The obesity group consistently showed the greatest sway. These findings highlight the SLSTST’s sensitivity in detecting balance deficits, supporting its use for fall risk assessment and targeted interventions in young adults.