Reference value of 360 degree turn test in children with different body composition

: The dynamics of body posture to avoid falling are generally referred to as balance. It has been shown that child developmental skills are influenced by their body compositions. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to find the reference values of 360 degree Turn Test in normal weight, overweight and obese children and compare the values between them. School going Children aged between 6 to 17 years were selected according to their BMI. The time taken by the children in performing 360 degree turn test was recorded. Normative reference values were established for normal weight and overweight school going children, with p-value < 0.001. The average score for normal weight was 7.20 seconds and 9.10 seconds for overweight children. Additionally, the overall normative TUG values for male and female children were determined to be 8.5 seconds and 8.46 seconds, respectively. Further stratification by gender and weight status revealed specific reference values: 7.28 seconds for normal weight males, 9 seconds for overweight males, 7.13 seconds for normal weight females, and 9.10 seconds for overweight females, all demonstrating significant differences (p-values < 0.001). This study establishes normative 360 degree Turn Test values for school-going children aged 6-17 years, distinguishing between normal weight and overweight individuals, providing crucial benchmarks for clinicians in tailoring rehabilitation programs and identifying mobility and balance deficits.