The multitest platform (MT) framiral is used in the evaluation and rehabilitation of balance disorders in adults. Normative data are missing for children. The aims of the study were to collect, in normal children, MT normative data usable for clinical diagnosis and to explore the maturation of the postural control.

In this prospective study, 103 healthy children aged from 3 to 15 years were tested on MT in the 6 classical conditions: eyes open (condition A), eyes closed (B), vision disturbed by optokinetic stimulation (C), and the same conditions (A, B and C) with a mobile platform disturbing the proprioceptive inputs (D, E and F). The effect of age and gender were studied on the index of postural instability (IPI).

The IPI of children was higher (worse) than those observed in adults. They were logically better in condition A and worse in the conditions with disturbed proprioceptive inputs (D, E and F). The scores improved with age but only for the conditions A, B and C. The younger children use more energy for their postural control than adults in the easier conditions (A and B). They were less efficient in the use of sensory inputs, especially with disturbed proprioceptive inputs (D, E and F). They were more disturbed by visual motion. Girls presented with a more rapid maturation of their postural control than boys. Boys demonstrated a trend to a deterioration of their postural control at adolescence. Even in oldest children (13–15 years), the IPI scores did not reach the adults values in the more difficult conditions (D, E and F).

MT normative data for IPI were recorded for clinical use. Younger healthy children need more energy for maintaining an efficient control of their antero-posterior postural sways. This more energy-consuming postural control is still observed in adolescents.