Interpretation of postural control may change due to data processing techniques

- Filtering and downsampling center of pressure data may influence variability metrics.
- Center of pressure (CoP) data were analyzed using a variety of data processing techniques.
- CoP displacement was moderately influenced by the different data processing techniques.
- All CoP velocity metrics were influenced by the different data processing techniques.
- Careful interpretation of CoP data should be made based on the data processing technique.

Postural control is commonly assessed by quantifying center of pressure (CoP) variability during quiet stance. CoP data is traditionally filtered prior to analysis. However, some researchers suggest filtering may lead to undesirable consequences. Further, sampling frequency may also affect CoP analysis, as filtering CoP signals of different sampling frequencies may influence variability metrics. This study examined the influence of sampling frequency and filtering on metrics that index the magnitude and structure of variability in CoP displacement and velocity. Healthy adults (N = 8, 27.4 ± 2.6 years) balanced on their right foot for 60 s on a force plate. CoP data recorded at 100 Hz was then downsampled and/or filtered (2nd order dual-pass 10 Hz low-pass Butterworth) to create six different CoP time series for each participant: (1) original, (2) filtered, (3) downsampled to 50 Hz, (4) downsampled to 25 Hz, (5) downsampled to 50 Hz and filtered, and (6) down-sampled to 25 Hz and filtered. Data were then analyzed using four common variability metrics (standard deviation [SD], root mean square [RMS], detrended fluctuation analysis α [DFA α], and sample entropy [SampEn]). Data processing techniques did not influence the magnitude of variability (SD and RMS), but did influence the structure of variability (DFA α and SampEn) in CoP displacement. All metrics were influenced by data processing techniques in CoP velocity. Thus, when interpreting changes in CoP variability, one must be careful to identify how much change is driven by the neuromotor system and how much is a function of data processing technique.