Assessing the Impact of Age on Postural Stability. a Comparative Analysis Using Blazepose Algorithm Based Posturography and Pressure Platform Systems

Postural balance assessment is essential for evaluating human stability and fall risk, especially in older adults. While force plates are the gold standard for measuring postural sway, computer vision-based motion capture systems like BlazePose offer a non-invasive alternative. This study compares BlazePose-based motion tracking with force plate data for assessing postural sway under different stance conditions. A total of 50 male participants (25 young adults aged 18–30 years and 25 older adults aged 60–75 years) performed static balance tests in narrow and wide stance conditions with eyes open and closed. Force plate data (100 Hz) were used to measure Center of Pressure (COP) displacement, while BlazePose extracted hip kinematics (30 FPS) from a side-view camera. Postural sway parameters—Mean Distance (AP, ML) and Mean Velocity (AP, ML)—were computed and analyzed. Results showed a strong correlation (r > 0.85, p < 0.01) between BlazePose and force plate measurements, particularly in the anterior-posterior (AP) direction. However, slight discrepancies were noted in the medial-lateral (ML) direction, likely due to camera perspective limitations. Older adults exhibited significantly greater sway velocity and displacement than younger participants (p < 0.001), confirming age-related balance impairments. This study demonstrates that BlazePose is a cost-effective, portable, and non-invasive alternative for postural sway analysis, with potential applications in clinical balance assessment and sports science, though further refinements in camera positioning and biomechanical modeling may enhance accuracy.