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Related Experiment Videos

Can muscle stiffness alone stabilize upright standing?

P G Morasso1, M Schieppati

  • 1Department of Informatics, Systems, Telecommunication, University of Genova, I-16145 Genova, Italy.

Journal of Neurophysiology
|September 14, 1999
PubMed
Summary

A recent sway stabilization model has inadequacies. The body's center of mass and pressure relation is physics-based, and ankle muscle stiffness alone cannot stabilize the inverted pendulum. Active mechanisms are crucial.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Human postural control
  • Robotics

Background:

  • A stiffness control model for sway stabilization was recently proposed.
  • This paper critically evaluates two key inadequacies in this model: its theoretical underpinnings and empirical validity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the modeling and empirical consistency inadequacies of a proposed stiffness control model for sway stabilization.
  • To investigate the physical determinants of center of mass and center of pressure trajectories.
  • To assess the sufficiency of physiological ankle muscle stiffness for stabilizing the human body as an inverted pendulum.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis of the relationship between center of mass and center of pressure trajectories.
  • Empirical evaluation of ankle muscle stiffness values against the requirements for inverted pendulum stabilization.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Review of evidence for active mechanisms in sway stabilization.

    • Main Results:

    • The in-phase relationship between center of pressure and center of mass trajectories is dictated by fundamental physics, not control strategies.
    • Physiological ankle muscle stiffness is insufficient to stabilize the body's inverted pendulum dynamics.
    • Evidence suggests active mechanisms, potentially involving foot receptors, play a critical role in sway stabilization.

    Conclusions:

    • The proposed stiffness control model has significant limitations in both its theoretical basis and empirical support.
    • Human sway stabilization relies on more than passive stiffness; active mechanisms are essential.
    • Foot mechanoreceptors and muscle afferents are likely crucial components of the active sway stabilization system.